3 Game Essentials | Kraken at Philadelphia | Oct. 18

One:

Hakstol called Saturday's result a "good road point" and didn't waver from the Sunday off-day on the trip itinerary. He cited the team's 1-1-1 record by calling them three wonderful hockey games, all one-goal games (we'll take a laugher victory anytime). Hakstol is heading into a now-hostile environment when he steps behind the visitors bench in Philly - despite taking a down-trending team to the playoffs two of three full seasons and winning 30 more games than he lost. His intensity hasn't waned, but he sounds and looks like a leader comfortable with his team's effort. Here's guessing the team plays hard but loose Monday.

Two:

Hakstol did say his team gave away "too many chances off the Columbus rush." Look to see if the Kraken are closing the gap on Flyers players who are carrying the puck out of the defensive end and/or if Seattle players are getting their sticks on passes intended to leave the Philly zone for a Flyers teammate.
In Game 1, Vegas recorded 81 percent successful zone exits (getting the puck out of the defensive end). Columbus was over 83 percent in zone-exit percentage Saturday. Fans know those outcomes. In Thursday's win, the Nashville zone-exit percentage was 77 percent. Meet after the game on the app to see that number on the Instant Analysis game graphic.

Three:

Know the opponent. Philly is missing a key playmaking and scoring center with Kevin Hayes on the IR. Claude Giroux is still a pro's pro and dangerous in my thought process even if some media types say he's lost a stride. Top defenseman Ivan Provorov, 24, is a stud and not talked about enough for his play on both ends of the ice. Carter Hart, familiar to WHL Everett Silvertips faithful, is still 23 with 102 NHL games on his stat line, but rebuilding his rep after an uneven 2020-21 season.