Game #2 Preview/GameThread: Seattle Kraken make their first visit to Nationwide Arena to take on Columbus Blue Jackets
Here’s what you need to know.
Seattle Kraken at Columbus Blue Jackets
Saturday, October 16, 2021 - 7:00 PM EDT
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
TV: Bally’s Sports Ohio - Radio: WBNS FM
Opponent’s Blog: Davy Jones’ Locker Room
Seattle Kraken, 1-1-0, 2 points, 5th division, 7th West
@
Columbus Blue Jackets, 1-0-0. 2 points, 2nd division, 3rd East
The Seattle Kraken come to Nationwide Arena and take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in the middle leg of a five game road swing to open their inaugural season in the National Hockey League. The Kraken, the 32nd franchise in the league, announced their leadership group just before the start of the season:
Lead·er·ship (noun): the power or ability to lead other people.
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) October 11, 2021
Kraken fans, meet the inaugural #SeaKraken leadership group → https://t.co/XkqBBSz3En pic.twitter.com/S0XgXHnGM1
The Kraken’s pick from the Columbus Blue Jackets will not feature in this game - as you may recall, the Kraken selected Gavin Bayreuther but elected not to sign him to a contract. He then returned to the Blue Jackets, but passed through waivers and is currently with the Cleveland Monsters. Fans can, however, expect to see one former Blue Jacket on the Kraken roster - Alex Wennberg is expected to fill the role of number two center for the fledgling franchise.
The Blue Jackets, after their performance on Thursday night in a dominant 8-2 win, will be looking to keep the good performances rolling - all four lines contributed, and Elvis was outstanding in net.
In case you missed it Thursday, the Matiss Kivlenieks tribute:
The @BlueJacketsNHL pay tribute and raise a No.80 banner for Matiss Kivlenieks before tonight’s game💙♥️pic.twitter.com/Etytj3XzOS
— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) October 14, 2021
Player to Watch
Max Domi
Domi, fresh from offseason shoulder surgery, was not even expected to be in the opening night lineup a month ago. One goal and two assists on the night later, Domi returned with an eye toward putting a difficult 2020-21 season behind him. Domi played on a line with Cole Sillinger and Boone Jenner in the opener, a physical line that can play a 200 foot game but with enough skill to put the puck in the net. Domi is in a contract year and is rumored to be on the trading block, but strong performances like the one we saw on Thursday could go a long way toward him redeeming himself in Columbus and potentially earning an extension.
Jackets Notes
The Blue Jackets assigned Yegor Chinakhov to the Cleveland Monsters on Friday afternoon … The eight goals scored in the home opener is the most scored in an opening game in franchise history … Oliver Bjorkstrand had his first career four point game (2-2-4) in the win over the Coyotes … Alexandre Texier’s goal 40 seconds in was the second fastest in a home opener in franchise history … Every member of the new leadership team scored a goal … Emil Bemstrom is expected to miss four to six weeks on the IR with a strained oblique
The Other Bench
The Kraken earned their first win in franchise history Thursday night as the Kraken beat the Nashville Predators … the Kraken dominant third line of Brandon Tanev, Morgan Geekie, and Ryan Donato clocked a 78.5% CF% in the win over the Predators … the Kraken are yet to make their home debut, spending the first five games in franchise history on a road trip that will culminate next Tuesday in New Jersey … the Kraken are set for a home debut next Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks
Season Series
10/16/2021 - SEA @ CBJ
12/11/2021 - CBJ @ SEA
Stats
| Seattle | Columbus | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.50 (12) | GPG | 8.00 (1) |
| 3.50 (15) | GAPG | (2.00) (11) |
| 40.0% (10) | PP% | 66.7% (2) |
| 80.0% (12) | PK% | 75.0% (14) |
| 44.55% (31) | 5v5 Shot Attempt % | 48.04% (20) |
| 45.39% (30) | 5v5 Unblocked shot attempt % | 46.91% (24) |
| 6.90% (24) | 5v5 Shot % | 11.66%(5) |
| .8852 (29) | 5v5 Save % | .8995 (21) |
| Jared McCann, 2 | G Leader | Oliver Bjorkstrand, 2 |
| Joonas Donskoi, 2 | A Leader | Oliver Bjorkstrand, 2 |
| Jared McCann, 3 | P Leader | Oliver Bjorkstrand, 4 |
| Vince Dunn, 5 | PIM Leader | Andrew Peeke, 5 |
| 1-1-0 | Home / Road | 1-0-0 |
Projected Lineups
| Patrik Laine | Alexandre Texier | Jakub Voracek |
| Gus Nyquist | Jack Roslovic | Oliver Bjorkstrand |
| Boone Jenner | Cole Sillinger | Max Domi |
| Eric Robinson | Sean Kuraly | Gregory Hofmann |
| Zach Werenski | Jake Bean |
| Vladislav Gavrikov | Adam Boqist |
| Scott Harrington | Andrew Peeke |
| Elvis Merzlikins |
| Joonas Korpisalo |
| Jaden Schwartz | Jared McCann | Jordan Eberle |
| Alex Barre-Boulet | Alexander Wennberg | Joonas Donskoi |
| Brandon Tanev | Morgan Geekie | Ryan Donato |
| Nathan Bastian | Riley Sheahan | Mason Appleton |
| Mark Giordano | Carson Soucy |
| Jamie Oleksiak | Adam Larsson |
| Jeremy Lauzon | Vince Dunn |
| Philipp Grubauer |
| Chris Driedger |