AWA: What's Working in the Kraken's Line Combinations

In an 82-game season, managing lineups is a constant balancing act between providing consistency and maximizing a team's productivity.
"When (combinations) haven't worked for a night or two and you see that with your eye and you look at some of the results, you make a tweak or two," Dave Hakstol said.

And while Hakstol has only had to make tweaks a few times this season, at the start of 2023, he and his staff moved a few wingers around within the top three lines.
The resulting combinations were Alexander Wennberg centering Jaden Schwartz and Jared McCann; Matty Beniers aligning with Andre Burakovsky and Jordan Eberle; and Eeli Tolvanen and Oliver Bjorkstrand working with Yanni Gourde as their pivot.
The results were immediate and impressive. Through six games, these combos (along with a line that is currently balancing opportunities for Morgan Geekie and Ryan Donato along with Brandon Tanev and Daniel Sprong) have been proof of the Kraken's balance and depth this season.
Let's dig in.

In the six games in 2023, every forward in the three new-look lines has scored at least one goal, and five (McCann, Tolvanen, Gourde, Bjorkstrand, Beniers) have scored multiple. In two games (Edmonton, Jan. 3; Ottawa, Jan. 7) every member of a line has scored. The Beniers line has yet to allow a goal against.
"That's the way our team has been," Hakstol said. "There's been a line or two each night that's been able to step forward and have good nights and the other lines go and do their jobs."
Do their jobs. That's been another part of the forward corps success. Each line is finding an identity and ways to exploit one another's strengths.
Although players "don't really think about (line changes) too much" according to Schwartz, players will look at one another's tendencies and start to figure out what works among them.
For his line, Schwartz is quick to highlight McCann's shooting prowess; Wennberg's defensive ability and work in faceoffs. He also likes the versatility of both himself and Wennberg being able to trade-off in the valuable real estate in front of opponent's nets to create space for one another.
All of that was on display in Ottawa when each member of the Wennberg line earned a point on McCann's goal.

As for the Gourde line, their center sees the identity fully formed among the three. Each player on his line has a scoring touch but rounds that out with very strong defensive abilities.
"We're finding an identity as a line and I think that's the best," Gourde said. "Our forechecking has been so much more efficient. The good thing about our line is finding an identity and knowing exactly what you're going to get when you throw us out there."
And, of course, there is the Beniers line. This year's All-Star has scored a goal in five straight games and each member of his line had a goal in Ottawa.
"They're working their tails off," Hakstol said. "They're working hard in a 200-foot sense. (In Ottawa in particular) they were excellent getting out of the D-zone and getting up ice. They checked well in the middle of the rink and both off entries into the offensive zone as well as what they did in the O-zone. They played fast. They had good success."

Again, it's a long season. Lines will continue to be tweaked as needed. But it's worth celebrating the current combos the coaching staff has put together. They've been outstanding and played a big part in the team's success.