3 Game Essentials | Kraken vs. Buffalo | Nov. 4

One: Unexpected shots

Whenever Kraken center Yanni Gourde talks to the media, he offers common themes: Work both ends of the ice, be hard to play against, don't make the extra pass. The last point fits here. What Gourde is saying: Take the shot if you have it, don't overthink, put pucks on the net, maybe surprise the goalie and defensemen. Seattle needs puck luck and unexpected shots can be upturning fortunes, especially if the Kraken "get inside the blue paint [goalie crease]" and "get those second [rebounds]" says head coach Dave Hakstol.

Two: Up Ice with 5-on-5

Hakstol said after Monday's Edmonton game that Kraken defensemen were a bit slow to get into the offensive rushes in the first 12 to 14 minutes. He is targeting that as an improvement Thursday against Buffalo. What to watch: Are the Kraken exiting their defensive zone and moving through the neutral ice as a unit of five. "We need to be moving up ice 5-on-5 [to get the best scoring chances and extend puck possession in the offensive zone]."

Three: Know the Foe

The Sabres started their current road trip with a 5-1-1 record under coach Don Granato (yes, he is the brother of Seattle pro scout Cammi Granato). Buffalo's record now stands at 5-3-1 after losses in Los Angeles Sunday and San Jose Tuesday.
The Sunday game was especially tough; the Sabres built a 2-0 lead and ended the second period up 2-1 before the Kings scored two in the third period to complete the comeback. Notes for fans:
- Jeff Skinner scored twice Tuesday, his first multi-goal game since April 2019. - Buffalo star Jack Eichel, who requires neck surgery, is the Sabres player most-talked about - whether he might be traded to one of two Kraken division rivals, Calgary or Vegas. Fans got their answer Thursday when Eichel was traded to Vegas for young forward Peyton Krebs, veteran right wing Alex Tuch (on injured reserve, not expected back until March after shoulder surgery) and two future draft choices (first round and second round). Vegas also received a future third-round pick in the deal. - Buffalo is giving up an average of 31 shots per game to date.