DENVER -- Tye Kartye could make his NHL debut on the top line for the Seattle Kraken against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 5 of the Western Conference First Round at Ball Arena on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old forward was on the left wing with center Matty Beniers and right wing Jordan Eberle at the morning skate, replacing Jared McCann, who led Seattle in goals (40) and points (70) during the regular season and was injured on a hit by Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar in Game 4.
"That would be, I'm sure, pretty exciting," Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. "But we'll see by tonight, and if he's in, he's going to go out and do a good job."
Kartye, an undrafted free agent, led American Hockey League rookies in scoring during the regular season with 57 points (28 goals, 29 assists) in 72 games for Coachella Valley.
"I'm excited," said Beniers, who led NHL rookies in scoring during the regular season with 57 points (24 goals, 33 assists) in 80 games. "I'm excited for him. I think it's going to be fun."
Eberle said Kartye (5-foot-11, 202 pounds) is big, strong and can finish, and needs to play to his strengths.
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"Obviously, you can make a big deal out of it being Game 5, first game and whatnot," Eberle said. "But I think at the end of the day, it's just another hockey game, and for him, it's just a matter of continuing to do what he's done."
When a best-of-7 series is tied 2-2, the winner of Game 5 holds an all-time series record of 224-61 (.786 percent), including 5-3 last season.
Here are 3 keys for Game 5: