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We talk all the time about concepts and ideas that analytics tell us are "good" in hockey. But what we don't always talk about is how those concepts come to life in the actual game. Unlike football or baseball which allow for more discrete planning play to play, hockey demands on-the-fly evaluation and decision-making by every player on the ice.
Coming off a short All-Star break, Seattle shook off some rust as they hosted the visiting Coyotes. While the Kraken were able to generate shots on net, Arizona converted a few miscues into scores to go up 2-0 through 40 minutes of play. Colin Blackwell started the third period off with the first home shorthanded Kraken score, but a response goal quieted Seattle's comeback bid. Let's look at the game "by the numbers."
After being away from game action for nine days, the Kraken got off to a fast start in Colorado. There were lots of elements to like in how the team played: both sides of special teams were firing, and Philipp Grubauer was on his game. But even as Seattle built a 3-1 lead, the team's offensive efforts quieted, and three goals from the Avalanche sealed the final outcome for the home team by a score of 4-3. Let's look at the game "by the numbers."
When things on the ice aren't going the way you want, it's time to identify what is happening, and whether it matters (does it have the potential to have a big impact on the game) before you decide how to address it. For the Kraken, one such point of focus has been scoring chances that come off the rush, particularly those that create an "odd-man" situation (when there are more skaters from the other team in the play than there are players from the Kraken).
Jordan Eberle had the lone Kraken goal in Sunday's matchup against the Rangers. And wasn't it pretty? Adam Larsson started the play going north with a stretch pass from the defensive zone. Jaden Schwartz ultimately corralled the puck and sent it to Eberle who moved the puck to his backhand and fired off a shot to beat Igor Shesterkin high glove side.