3 Game Essentials | Chicago at Kraken | Nov. 17

One: Get the Crowd Involved with Good Start

Two: Kraken in Focus

The top Seattle player to watch is starting goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who will be looking to show more consistently why GM Ron Francis signed him to a six-year, $35.4 million contract on the first morning of NHL Free Agency this past summer. As the Kraken stand at 4-10-1 in the first 15 games, they are scoring goals at a bit higher rate than expected per advanced analytics but giving up significantly more goals than expected despite ranking top three in the NHL in shots on goals against statistics. That's not all on Grubauer, evidenced by teammates who held themselves accountable on defensive turnovers that lead to breakaway and odd-man rush goals in Saturday's home loss to Minnesota.
Marcus Johansson has a power play goal and assist since he return to the lineup and man-advantage unit. Note his work in the near-net area along the goal line and net front. Hakstol says Johansson is "efficient and comfortable" there and "makes players better on the power play by putting them in good spots."
Jared McCann has performed well on both 5-on-5 ice time and the power play. Francis says players returning to the lineup probably need a couple weeks to get back to peak performance and playing shape. McCann looks ahead of schedule.
Colin Blackwell was notable in short shifts Saturday; the coaching staff will likely give him more time on ice against Chicago.

Three: Know the Foe

Chicago started their season 1-9-1 and fired former coach Jeremy Colliton, who was replaced by AHL Rockford (IL) coach Derek King. The Blackhawks have won three in a row under King.
Chicago star Patrick Kane didn't know much about his new coach but gained instant respect when he looked up King on hockeydb.com, discovering his new boss notched 612 points (261 goals, 351 assists) in 830 NHL games. The Kraken will have to keep tabs and close the gaps on Kane and linemate Alex DeBrincat.
Players say King is keeping it "fun" and "much more relaxed" and "trusting [the players] we know what to do on the ice." It should not be lost that goalies Marc-Andre Fleury and Kevin Lankinen have turned in elite-level performances with King behind the bench compared to sub-.900 save percentage performances in the first 11 games.