McCann Do

Kraken forward Jared McCann wasted little time making an impact in his return to the ice Thursday night during Seattle's 7-4 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
After playing five-plus minutes of shifts in the first period, shaking off any effects of 10 days in COVID protocol, McCann scored a momentum-swinging goal in the second period when he crashed the net to deflect a Calle Jarnkrok pass in the net, cutting into a 3-1 Anaheim lead. The crowd fed off it and the Kraken kept fighting.

The Ducks rebuilt their two-goal lead in the third period. McCann again narrowed the margin to a one-goal spread. At 10:26 of the third period, he sped into the Ducks zone with the puck and made a move to cut around a defenseman and get a shot off from the high slot.
The shot beat Ducks goalie John Gibson over his shoulder.
"Just kind of worked out for me there," McCann said after the game. "I saw the D switch his feet and thought I was going to take him wide, but I was able to cut back and luckily let a good shot go."
That shot earned him his second goal of the night and fifth of the season. He now has nine points (5 goals, 4 assists) in nine games.
While ultimately the Kraken couldn't get any closer than one goal, McCann back in the lineup was welcome Thursday. He missed six games and teammates are happy he is back.

"Canner brings speed and a shot, and you saw that tonight with a couple of goals," said Jordan Eberle, who scored his team-leading 8th goal Thursday in the 7-4 loss. "Not only that but we're starting to get chemistry with lines. I feel like we've switched a lot and guys are figuring out playing together."
That shot and speed were sidelined when he tested positive and placed into protocol Oct. 28. He wasn't allowed to be around the team or hit the gym. He had to stay away from the team's practice facility all together.
McCann said he was given resistance bands to work out with at home, along with a stationary bike to help stay in game shape-not easy when you don't skate for 10 days.
McCann said he felt the effects of the virus.
"I got hit pretty hard," he said. "I don't have any taste or smell, and energy levels kind of up and down. You don't really know what you're gonna get but the first thing, you got to battle it."
While he was confronting COVID, McCann was reduced to watching Kraken games on TV. Watching from home gave him a new perspective on the game and how the team is playing.
"Had to shut the TV off a couple times," said McCann, 25. "For sure, it was tough, but I'm just glad to be back. Just watching it, you miss the game and I know I'm not ready to retire anytime soon."

Not only did McCann score twice but he was integral to driving the play Thursday. Seattle was getting 65 percent of quality shot attempts when McCann was on the ice.
He played up and down the lineup, spending time on the wing to conserve his energy. Centers are required to skate much more than wingers during games, typically playing much deeper in the defensive zone.
It didn't seem to matter who he was matched up with, the results were good.
"I've always kind of been a guy who fills in a lot," McCann said. "It's something that I pride myself on. I love doing that and wherever the team needs me, I'll be there."
It's been a rough week for the Kraken as they've dropped three games in a row. Getting McCann back on the ice will give the team more depth and scoring. Getting him back will boost the Seattle offensive attack. If you have any doubts, just consider Thursday to be Exhibit A.
"We do put a lot of pressure on ourselves and we've just got to relax," McCann said. "You can't play hockey tight, that's just not the way It works. We had some good shifts and hemmed them in their end in the third period a lot. We can do it, we just need to believe in ourselves and go from there."