3 Game Essentials | Devils (29-12-3) at Kraken (26-14-4) | 7 p.m.

One: Win Wall Battles, Avoid Long Losing Streaks
The NHL schedule with its back-to-back games and travel demands is a grind for all 32 teams. It's simply the Kraken's turn to overcome playing in Chicago Saturday night, then roughly 36 hours later in Seattle, then 28 hours later in Edmonton Tuesday after hopping on a flight to Alberta Monday evening.
Players such as Vince Dunn and Daniel Sprong were not biting on lack of rest or tired legs as the reason why the Kraken are looking at the potential of a fourth three-game losing skid this season. The plus side is Seattle kept the previous L-L-L to just those three games.
"I said [after Monday's 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay], there's no excuse for being tired right now," said Dunn Tuesday night. "We've got to find a way to win games. We're just halfway through the season so far. If we're tired now, then we're definitely in a lot of trouble."

"But I don't think that's it. I think it's our execution right now needs to be better. Our details. I think a lot of the chances that teams are getting are coming from little plays that we need to make."
In a Tuesday post-game scrum, SEA coach Dave Hakstol was ready with an example of plays his team has not been making the last two: His squad was not winning puck battles along the wall in both the offensive and defensive zones, plus on 50-50 faceoffs. Do that and a longer losing streak can be avoided. Teams can't control bad bounces or missed penalty calls, but winning so-called 50-50 pucks is essential.

##### Two: Optimism in Form Kraken Among NHL 5-on-5 Scoring Leaders
Jared McCann is leading the league with 2.45 goals per 60 at five-on-five this season among players who have appeared in at least 10 games this year. He leads the Kraken with 22 goals and is playing a strong two-way game. Daniel Sprong is tied for second with Boston's perennial elite scorer David Pastrnak with 1.80. Vince Dunn ranks fifth among defensemen playing in at least 10 games this season with 0.64 goals per 60. All good reasons to stay out of the penalty box when Jersey visits. Stick tap to Kraken colleague Lindsey Brown for the encouraging stats.
Sprong enters Thursday's game against the Devils having already set career-highs in goals (15), assists (13), and points (28). The Kraken fourth-liner has averaged 11:18 of ice time per game this season and is leading the league in goals, assists, and points among players who average less than 12 minutes of time on ice. His 15 goals are the third-most on Seattle's roster behind McCann and Matty Beniers (17).
##### Three: Devils Road Trippin' Themselves
Thursday's matchup is the final contest of a five-game road trip for New Jersey. They are looking to sweep with a victory over Seattle and improve on a highly impressive road record of 18-2-1 this season. The Devils set an NHL record for most wins (17) in their first 20 road games of the season. NJD has won five games in a row and in late October and the first three weeks of the season put together a 13-game win streak.
Jack Hughes, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft, is delivering in a big way of his promise. He has notched 55 points (29 goals, 26 assists) in 44 games and scored the shootout winner in San Jose Monday. Vitek Vanecek has taken over No. 1 goalie duties this season with an 18-5-2 record (.914 save percentage), unseating previous "goalie of the future" MacKenzie Blackwood. Jersey hasn't played since that Monday game. Expect a rested roster and a fast pace.