A tale of two teams: Kraken at Lightning preview

Game Seventy-One : Seattle Kraken (31-29-10) at Tampa Bay Lightning (44-21-5)

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Location: Benchmark International Arena, Where the Lightning are 0-1 with Raw Charge within the constructing this season

TV/Stream/Radio: The Spot, KONG, ESPN+, 102.5 FM, Lightning App

Odds: Lightning -290

Know the Opponents: Davy Jones Locker Room

It wasn’t that way back that these two groups confronted off in Seattle. A considerably struggling Lightning crew kicked off a profitable street journey with a 6-2 win over the Kraken. That began a five-game factors streak for the Bolts the place they’ve racked up 26 targets alongside the best way. For Seattle, nicely, it’s been a special story.

Following a shootout loss to Florida on Tuesday, they’ve now misplaced 4 in a row, accumulating simply the lone Bettman Point towards the Panthers. The offense is sputtering as they’ve scored simply 9 targets in these 4 video games. With the loss they’ve slipped out of a playoff spot and are trailing Nashville by 5 level for the second Wild Card spot.

Let’s look at some numbers!

Yup. Definitely a tale of two groups heading in reverse instructions. So, the Lightning can simply throw their sticks on the ice and choose up one other two factors, proper? Oh, no, that’s so very unsuitable. Seattle goes to be a determined crew as they cling to their playoff desires. They are going to throw every part they’ve towards the Lightning tonight, and the Bolts should be buttoned up tight in the event that they need to choose up one other win and hold the stress on Buffalo (who misplaced in time beyond regulation on Wednesday).

During this latest factors streak, the Lightning have been higher at limiting the possibilities towards them, particularly these of a high-danger selection. During this stretch of play, they’re permitting simply 7.20 towards. When the Bolts have been struggling at the start of the month, they have been permitting 14.16 HDCA/60. It’s not superior trigonometry to state that chopping down on the quantity of Grade A possibilities an opponent will get is one of the best ways to maintain the puck out of your personal web, and that’s what the Lightning have been doing for probably the most half of late.

They haven’t been excellent, and there have been some rocky moments over the streak, however they’re discovering methods to select up factors, and there recreation is enhancing from interval to interval. Literally. Over the final 5 video games their purpose differentials are:

First Period: 4-5

Second Period: 11-5

Third Period: 11-2

Get the lead. Protect the lead. Extend the lead.

The method for profitable tonight would be the similar because it was simply over every week in the past. Clean breakouts and powerful play alongside the bluelines. They did a very good job of harassing the Seattle puck-carriers popping out of the zone within the 6-2 win. If they’ll hold that stress up on Seattle’s breakouts, it can pressure turnovers within the impartial zone and permit them to counter and hold the Kraken on their heels.

They additionally did job of standing up at their very own blueline and forcing Seattle to dump the puck into the zone. The Bolts usually get in hassle after they concede entries too usually and too simply. They don’t need to be backpedaling because the Kraken forwards drive into the zone. Hold the road after which retrieve the pucks cleanly. That’s a recipe for achievement and one other two factors.

Potential Lines

Tampa Bay Lightning

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Seattle Kraken

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