Two: Scoring Depth = Heavy Team Stats, Dunn Out Saturday
Eighteen Kraken players have notched at least one point over the first five games. Four players, Jared McCann (3 G, 4 A), Jordan Eberle (4 G, 2 A), Ryker Evans (1G, 3 A) and Andre Burakovsky (four assists) are averaging at least one point per game. Seven more players have some combination of goals and assists to total three points. A dozen Kraken have scored a goal. Thursday’s second period featured four goals, including two goals scored eight seconds apart. More of the same playing fast will be needed against a visiting Flames squad.
At his morning skate media meet-up, Bylsma was asked about the availability of Vince Dunn, who did not practice Friday. The Kraken coach said Dunn (1 G, 2A in four games) will not be in the lineup, and reserve defenseman Josh Mahura will pair with Adam Larsson while Ryker Evan will QB the power play unit that is usually led by Dunn. The injury has not been labeled upper- or lower-body. Bylsma characterized it as “mid-body” and indicated the team would know more after further evaluation.
Thursday’s second period featured four goals, including two goals scored eight seconds apart. More of the same playing fast will be needed against a visiting Flames squad.
“That was probably our best second period of the year so far, playing fast, playing north,” said Dan Bylsma. “Great couple of plays with quick-up [transition] and into the rush play ... just a lot of a lot of speed, a lot of energy, back the other way toward to opponent’s end. When you do that, it allows players to play with skill.”
Three: Know the Foe - Calgary is 4-0-0 with Red-Hot Scoring
Calgary traded Chris Tanev, Noah Hanifin and Nikita Zadorov, plus forward Elias Lindholm midseason last year, then traded forward Andrew Mangiapane and goalie Jakob Markstrom over the summer. But the rebuild mentality has not come with losses yet. The Flames arrive with wins over Vancouver, Edmonton, Philadelphia and Chicago. They have scored the fourth-most goals (19) in the league in just four games, with a goal differential of plus-9. Left Wing Jonathan Huberdeau has three goals and three assists after two so-so seasons for the Flames. Defenseman Rasmus Andersson has two goals and four assists. Second-year forward Martin Pospisil (1G, 4 A) will face the Kraken for the first time since his hit shortened Kraken D-man Vince Dunn’s season last year. That will be something to monitor, along with how well the Kraken and starting goalie (the guess here is Joey Daccord, but check back on the Kraken app and website Saturday for updates) can prevent too much Calgary puck possession and high-danger scoring chances while keeping their own hot scoring on high.