One: Bellemare, Eberle Return and Tanev Revs Up
In his return to the lineup after missing two games, fourth-line center, and penalty-killer extraordinaire Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored the Kraken’s second goal. He positioned himself squarely in Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner’s sightlines, settling in as linemates Kailer Yamamoto and Tye Kartye worked the boards to get the puck back to Vince Dunn at the point for a shot on goal that Bellemare finished by skillfully redirecting its route.
At Wednesday’s morning skate, Bellemare was spotted listening intently to assistant coach Dave Lowry talk about positioning at the top formation of the Seattle penalty-kill system. At 38, Bellemare might be inclined to think he knows plenty about being a PK specialist. Not this guy. Same for fellow PK traveler Brandon Tanev. He and Lowry were animated talking and pointing to a defensive zone and, presumably, an imaginary penalty-kill unfolding.
Tanev scored in his first game back too – from a much longer stay in street clothes watching his teammates toil. On Wednesday night, he was noticeable for more than PK work. He was speeding into the offensive zone more than a few times and registered four shots on goal (only Eeli Tolvanen had more with seven while the night’s first goal scorer, Jared McCann, landed four shots on goal too). Tanev also logged three hits and will be among the team leaders soon enough despite the long layoff.
Add Jordan Eberle back in the lineup – assisting on the McCann goal with a shot-pass – and it adds the type of scoring depth and heady play that Kraken need to win games. Eberle called it “win by committee” and there’s no better time for the group to rack up some W’s.
Two: Staying Out of the Defensive Zone
Goalie Joey Daccord offered post-game that Wednesday’s game was “our most complete game in a while.” Coach Dave Hakstol agreed there was a more consistent and fruitful effort, especially by generating scoring chances in all three periods and overtime too. The Kraken finished with 35 shots on goal, nearly double the Monday output, which started out formidably with 16 shots by mid-game but then only three more SOG in the final 30 minutes.
“It starts in our own end,” said Hakstol Wednesday before hopping on the team plane. “We were good at getting out of the [defensive zone] tonight. Our exits were good, our support was good. We did a real nice job with five guys moving the puck up ice. We also did a nice job when we had time and space to stretch it out, which gives you an opportunity."
Hakstol said getting out of the D-zone leads to “a little bit of extra energy”: “You're not defending for a long period of time. You've got some energy when you get up ice.”
Three: Know the Foe: Islanders 0-4-2 Last Six Games
The Islanders jumped out to a two-goal lead in Vancouver Wednesday night and led 3-2 at the second intermission. But the host Canucks rallied to tie and then win in overtime. NYI started the current road with a 4-1 loss in Edmonton and will finish the Western swing Saturday at Calgary. The Islanders have a habit this season of collapsing in third periods; they have been outscored 20 to 10 in the final 20 minutes of regulation. Yet they also can come out strong in opening periods, as proven again by posting a two-goal lead in Vancouver.
