No one is picking the Seattle Kraken to win this game, let alone this series. Expectations here are pretty low for the Kraken and the team is fine by that. All season this team has defied expectations and tonight they have an opportunity to do so again.
An early goal for the Kraken will give the Avalanche pause, score on a PP early and suddenly the team is a real threat. Seattle has four dangerous lines it can roll out at any time and the Avalanche are going to have to respect that.
The Kraken will likely be going with the below lineup:
Jared McCann — Matthew Beniers — Jordan Eberle Jaden Schwartz — ALexander Wennberg — Morgan Geekie Eeli Tolvanen — Yanni Gourde — Oliver Bjorkstrand Jesper Froden — Ryan Donato — Brandon Tanev
Vince Dunn — Adam Larsson Jamie Oleksiak — William Borgen Carson Soucy — Justin Schultz
While the Avs will be going with:
Evan Rodrigues — Nathan MacKinnon — Mikko Rantanen Valeri Nichushkin — J.T. Compher — Artturi Lehkonen Alex Newhook — Lars Eller — Denis Malgin Matt Nieto — Andrew Cogliano — Logan O’Connor
Devon Toews — Cale Makar Samuel Girard — Josh Manson Bo Byram — Erik Johnson
Grubauer in net for the Kraken with Georgiev in for the Avalanche.
Tonight I'm looking to see what the blueline can do for Seattle in this series. Larsson and Oleksiak are not the fleetest of foot but they should be doing everything in their power to make life miserable for the Avalanche.
Enjoy the game!