Seattle Kraken Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 2
The Seattle Kraken face off against the Colorado Avalanche tonight in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Seattle walked away with a 3-1 victory in Game 1 and took the early series lead. Seattle did not ‘steal’ a win as they clearly outplayed the Avs for majority of the contest. This team is viewed by many as the underdog, however in spite of Colorado having home ice, they are the team that should be feeling the pressure.
As the Kraken set their sights on Game 2, the focus is on goalie Phillipp Grubauer and his dominant Game 1 performance. Grubauer shut down the Avalanche making 34 saves, and continuously came up big when the team needed him most. The Avalanche were not really ever in this game but did make 2 really strong pushes late in the 3rd period, and Grubauer stood on his head.
If the Kraken are going to win tonight, they will need another lights out performance by their stud goaltender. What makes this matchup even more fun is the fact that Gru (if you will) is the former goalie of the Avalanche. I am sure that this series means more to him than we could imagine.
When the Kraken win this series (and they will), Grubauer will finally have the last word.
Let’s look at the matchup tonight.
The Kraken win if…
Grubauer dominates again. The win was not all on him, his defense was solid as well, but he made all of the saves he should have, and then almost all of the ones he shouldn’t have. If the team is going to walk out of Denver up 2-0 in the series Grubauer will have to ‘steal a win’ tonight.
the Kraken’s top scorers get it going early. McCann, Eberle, Beniers and company need to get off to a fast start and score early. Putting the Avs on their heals and having to play from behind is the only way they will steal this win. Our best players have to be the best players on the ice tonight.
the special teams are successful. We need to capitalize on our powerplay chances and continue to shut down the Avs’ tough powerplay. The Avs have great special teams coaching from Nolan Pratt, and the Kraken need to step up.
The Avalanche win if…
Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar dominate. They are three of the top ten players in the world. They will score. If we can shut them down like we did in the first game, its game over for the Avs. Expect massive adjustments from Colorado’s stellar coaching staff.
Alexandar Georgiev shows up. Georgiev wasn’t bad, he just wasn’t good. The Avalanche will sadly go as far as he takes them because of their lack of depth across their roster. If he has a big game, the Avs have enough top end talent to pull off a win and escape tonight tied 1-1 in the series.
they dominate the time of possession. Typically teams who control the game win. The Kraken have to play keep away from the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
Game 2 is tonight, from Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drops at 6:30 PT.
Fear the deep!