Getting his head right turned out not to be a problem for Driedger in his third start in 21 games. The Panthers didn't take it easy on him.
Florida fired 34 shots at Driedger. He kicked away 33 to lead Seattle to a big 4-1 win as the Kraken have won three of the last four games against a quartet of top-five NHL teams.
Driedger's focus was tested in the first two minutes of the game while the Kraken were on a power play.
Florida's leading scorer, Jonathan Huberdeau stole a puck and was loose, breaking away toward Driedger, looking to score a momentum-snatching shorthanded goal. Driedger met the challenge, stretched out his left pad on Huberdeau's bid to keep the game scoreless early.
Seconds later, Jordan Eberle scored on the power play. The Kraken were able to grab the early momentum.
"The save on the breakaway early in the hockey game was a huge save," Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol said. "[Driedger] was really solid from there on out."
Seattle's expansion pick from the Panthers was at it again in the second period with the Kraken holding onto a slim 2-1 lead. Florida went to the power play at 16:31 with a chance to tie and once again wrestle the momentum away from Seattle.
The Panthers worked the puck around, sending it to Sam Bennett, who had time and a gaping net to shoot at. As Bennett wound up a shot, Driedger saw it, reacted and slid to his left in time to make the save and preserve the lead.
"When you have a goalie who you know is back there making saves when you're making mistakes, it gives you confidence," Eberle said. "Drieggs, he must have been the first star, he was awesome.
"He made a ton of big saves at the right time. He was just solid making plays back there."
Driedger was indeed awarded the first star in his old home rink.