Seattle Kraken Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 4
The Seattle Kraken faceoff tonight against the Colorado Avalanche in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Colorado came away with a 6-4 victory Saturday night, and took a 2-1 series lead. The Kraken with an opportunity to tie this series up, will play just the second home playoff game in franchise history,
The team as well as the fans are hoping for better results tonight. Saturday night felt like old times this season as the Kraken scored 4 goals but allowed 6 (one was an empty net). Colorado did not steal a game, and the Kraken did not let one get away. The Avalanche star players played like superstars. That’s what great players do.
The difference between these teams was the star power.
Great teams find a way to win, in spite of the talent on the other team. The Kraken had better hope that whatever adjustments were made in practice will neutralize the Colorado stars. Saturday night’s game saw the Kraken’s top line finally score in the postseason. If the Kraken are going to win tonight the team will need Jaden Schwartz to continue to put this team on his shoulders and lead.
Schwartz is a freaking stud. If you have watched all three games this postseason, you would agree that he is a gamer. Just a player made for the postseason.
Schwartz is a former member of the 2019 Stanley Cup Champion St. Louis Blues. In fact, he and teammate Vince Dunn are both former Blues teammates. Both of their leadership and on ice production is needed to keep the Kraken level headed and competitive. Not too high and not too low.
Schwartz scored two goals Saturday night (including the first ever home playoff goal in Kraken history) and will need to again tonight if the team is going to beat the Avs.
Schwartz looks every bit a captain and as of right now I am starting the ‘Schwartz for Captain’ campaign. When the Kraken win this series (and they will) and move on to the round 2, Schwartz will be one of the main reasons why.
Schwartz can not do it alone. The Kraken top line has to be firing on all cylinders tonight. Yes, I am saying the pressure is on Jared McCann, Matty Beniers, and Jordan Eberle. Come on boys! Rise to the occasion. Get it done tonight.
Let’s look at the game.
The Kraken win if…
the top line scores 3 or more goals. The McCann, Beniers, and Eberle line has scored one lone goal this postseason but has logged huge minutes against Colorado’s better players. Tonight, if the Kraken hope to even the series, these three will need to light the lamp, a lot. Lots of Nirvana tonight from these three will equal a win. ‘I like it’…
Grubauer returns to form and shuts Colorado down. He has been spectacular at times, and swiss cheese at times this season. The later part of the season he was the team MVP. Tonight, he needs to be the league MVP if the Kraken are going to win.
Brandon Tanev and Yanni Gourde stir the drink. Be it big hits, penalty killing, big goals, or just pissing off the Avs’ players. These two guys can give the Kraken all of the momentum they need to win. Play like there is no tomorrow. Forecheck your guts out and take Colorado out of this game.
Schwartz plays like the first round MVP. A timely goal, a big hit, or an assist. He will deliver.
The Avalanche win if…
their three superstars light up Grubauer. They are not much to look at when you remove MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar. The problem is these three can carry Colorado all the way to the Cup. If they play like they did Saturday night, this series is over.
the goalie with the strangest name in the league shuts down the Kraken attack. Alexandar Georgiev led the NHL in wins. Hearing that every night I still am in disbelief. He just isn’t that good. Seriously. If he has a great game though, the Kraken are done. (FYI-it’s the Avalanche’s system, not Georgiev. Nor was it Keumper).
the Kraken shoot themselves in the foot and commit too many penalties. The Avs will make them pay. Colorado’s top powerplay unit looks like an all-star team. The Avs’ powerplay was ranked 6th in the NHL with 24.5% success. The Kraken cannot give them opportunities to put them away. Stay out of the damn box.
Tonight’s game should be another high scoring game, with plenty of drama. Expect fireworks, Nirvana’s Lithium, and plenty of hits. Maybe a few fights too. The puck drops at 7pm PT.
Fear the deep!