Seattle, WA
Kraken Breakdown: John Forslund on missing Burkovsky, road success
The inaugural season didn’t go nicely for the Seattle Kraken, who completed 2021-22 with the third-worst document within the NHL. Issues have dramatically circled in Yr 2.
Adam Larsson’s OT objective lifts Kraken to 5-4 win over Stars
The Kraken are 39-24-7 with 12 video games remaining within the common season, giving them the seventh-most factors (85) and seventh-best level share (.607) within the NHL’s Western Convention. Meaning if the season have been to finish Wednesday, they’d be within the playoffs. What additionally helps Seattle is it’s six factors up Calgary and 7 up on Nashville, that are the 2 groups on the surface wanting in with the Western Convention playoff image.
So what ought to we all know in regards to the closing stretch of the Kraken’s season? And are they near getting one among their high gamers again from harm? John Forslund, the voice of the Kraken on ROOT Sports activities, joined Seattle Sports activities’ Bump and Stacy on Wednesday to debate these two questions and extra.
The ultimate stretch
The Kraken’s subsequent two video games might actually assist them solidify a playoff spot as they play in Nashville in opposition to the Predators (35-26-8, 78 factors) on each Thursday and Saturday.
“Disposing of Nashville will likely be good. I imply, Nashville is hanging round,” Forslund mentioned. “(The Kraken) have gotten a methods to go right here, however now they’ve head-to-heads with Nashville tomorrow night time and Saturday afternoon. You get out of right here with three or 4 factors, otherwise you win each video games and you may put that one to mattress and that’s good. That might principally put them in a terrific spot.”
Whereas there’s a excessive probability that the Kraken make the playoffs, Forslund doesn’t need anybody to get forward of themselves.
“With the street schedule and the truth that this crew has so much to do right here on this street journey – you’ve gotta go to Minnesota and so they’re an elite crew to wrap up the journey after which come dwelling – you don’t need to get forward of it,” he mentioned. “So I feel that’s a part of it. After which Calgary received a sport final night time, in order that they’re type of hanging round, too. They don’t play with plenty of jam proper now and so they have been hammered by LA the night time earlier than, however mathematically, they’re in it. So till all these equations are put away, you need to watch out.”
“But when the Kraken can simply preserve doing what they should do, win the video games which are forward right here and never depend on assist, not depend on the ultimate two weeks or week of the season to type of squeak in, they’ll actually be ok with the place they’re at proper now,” he added. “And they need to. They’re within the driver’s seat right here to get it executed. I actually imagine they may, I simply don’t need to jinx this factor.”
Lacking Andre Burakovsky
The Kraken have been largely wholesome this season, however they’ve handled one long-term harm that’s been loads noticeable.
Winger Andre Burakovsky, who the Kraken signed a profitable five-year deal in free company final offseason, has been out of motion since early February with a lower-body harm. When he went down, Burakovsky was Seattle’s high scorer.
Sadly, Forslund isn’t anticipating the 28-year-old ahead to return all that quickly.
“I do know that he’s had a tricky time with this harm,” Forslund mentioned. “He was presupposed to be nearer than I feel it’s presenting itself possibly every week in the past, however there appears to be a maintain up right here.”
Forslund mentioned he doesn’t see Burakovsky skating on the ice earlier than observe too typically, which is an indication that he’s not nearing a return.
“Till he has a number of practices and he will get in a contact sweater, then he’s nearer,” he mentioned, “and I don’t assume he’s shut proper now. However possibly after this street journey the state of affairs will change … However he’s a key piece. You’re taking a participant like that out, it adjusts the steadiness, it modifications their scoring, it modifications their four-line assault, which has been a trademark of the crew all season. However hopefully that’ll flip.”
Street warriors
The Kraken have a lovely new enviornment with Local weather Pledge Area, however they haven’t fairly made it dwelling simply but.
This 12 months, the Kraken are simply 16-15-4 in Seattle. However they’re 23-9-3 on the street, which is third-best within the NHL.
So why are the Kraken so a lot better away from dwelling? Forslund mentioned he bought a little bit of an evidence from the crew’s teaching employees just lately.
“It’s an easier sport on the street … You simply play a bit bit extra of a easy sport,” he mentioned. “At dwelling, you press, you attempt to placed on a present in your followers, you’re taking some dangers offensively that possibly you shouldn’t. So that they dumbed down their sport, if you’ll, on the street.”
The opposite purpose has a bit to do with teaching, Forslund mentioned.
“At dwelling, the coach will get the final change. The coach can regulate the gamers on the ice and the opponents or guests put their gamers out first. If he needs a sure line or a sure protection pairing in opposition to the ahead line from the opposite aspect, (Kraken head coach) Dave Hakstol can regulate and put his gamers on the market,” he mentioned. “And the coaches say on the street, they don’t get that luxurious, so they only roll their traces. Possibly they need to begin rolling their traces at dwelling as a result of it looks like that’s factoring in how they play.”
Figuring that out earlier than the playoffs begin will likely be crucial, Forslund mentioned.
“They’re going to have to realize some traction at dwelling if the crew makes the playoffs as a result of it’s a unique ballgame,” he mentioned. “So that you throw every little thing out, however you need to have some confidence at dwelling if you wish to be actual within the postseason.”
assist Andy Eide, Kraken insider for Seattle Sports activities