3 Game Essentials | Kraken vs. Oilers | Dec. 3

One: Avoid penalties, limit rush chances, break up passes in D-zone

Easier to say, harder to execute - but there are ways to even up goals scored among the Oilers and Kraken Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena:
+ Don't take penalties. According to SportLogiq, the Kraken rank No. 2 in the NHL for least number of penalties called on them. Avoiding trips to the penalty box is a good first step to beating the Oilers. The EDM power play is best in the league with a success rate of 36 percent. The St. Louis Blues rank second at 29.5 percent.
+ Limit offensive rush chances for Oilers. Hey, why not say no candy on Halloween for the kids? Edmonton is top three in the league for breaking out on 3-on-2 or 2-on-1 scoring chances, what Dave Hakstol called "outnumbereds." They average about seven per game, which is plenty productive with the potent 1-2 Edmonton punch of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Seattle ranks No. 2 in preventing rush chances, data supplied by SportLogiq. The Kraken limit such opportunities to an average of 4.5 per game. Let's call it a draw and the Oilers get five such rushes. Goalie Philipp Grubauer and the D-men fronting him will still have their hands and sticks full.
+ Disrupt Edmonton passes. Especially recommended in the Kraken defensive zone. Former Oiler Adam Larsson is a SEA leader in this category. Leading by example will help Friday. The idea here is to force the Oilers to shoot from outer areas of the Kraken D-zone, avoiding more probable scores from middle-ice near-net locations. The Oilers will spend noticeable time possessing the puck in the attacking zone; what fans can evaluate is how little or too much Seattle defenders are pushing back on shots from the "slot."

Two: Focus on Kraken: Power play playmakers and Grubauer in goal

When the Kraken visited Edmonton Nov. 1, the Oilers were best in the NHL and nearly scoring on 50 percent of their power plays. The Kraken arrived second-to-last in man-advantage but have since rebounded to connect on 19 percent of power-play chances for the season (15th overall) and above 30-plus percent over the last 10 games.
Players to watch on the Seattle power play: Marcus Johansson for his net presence and anticipatory passes; Jared McCann setting up for one-timers on the left faceoff circle; and defenseman Vince Dunn, who is logging successful minutes as the No. 1 power play "quarterback" with Mark Giordano in COVID protocol.
Grubauer is likely to get his first start in goal against Edmonton this season. Backup Joey Daccord was in net for a 5-2 road loss Nov. 1. A strong first period from Grubauer would no doubt boost Kraken players and fans.
Check back on the Kraken app and website Friday for updates on the injury statuses of forwards Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz, plus defenseman Will Borgen. All three are "day-to-day" with lower-body injuries.

Three: Know the Foe: Edmonton Oilers (16-5-0)

Yes, this is a Pacific Division game and important for the Kraken to earn division points. And, yes, both Draisaitl (an eye-popping 20 goals and 21 assists) and McDavid (more eye-bulging: 15 goals, 25 assists) average roughly two points per game. Newcomer Zack Kassian is the third-leading goal scorer with 11 in 17 games.
Less evident to the EDM early season success: Veteran goalie Mikko Koskinen sports a 12-2-0 record with a .914 save percentage. He saved 27 of 29 shots and stopped at least two and maybe three scoring chances that the "average" NHL goalie would not have prevented in the first game against Seattle.