For the first time since 2010, the Carolina Hurricanes are taking their show overseas, facing the Seattle Kraken as part of the NHL Global Series in Helsinki, Finland. While they're in Finland for a fun experience, these games still mean something. The Canes enter their overseas affairs playing excellent hockey, winning six of their last seven contests.
Last Saturday night was the last time that the Hurricanes dropped the puck, demolishing the Chicago Blackhawks in Raleigh. Eight players recorded multiple points, with 15 Hurricanes finding the scoresheet. Jordan Martinook and Andrei Svechnikov scored twice each, helping the team tie their record for the most goals in a game since relocation in a 9-2 win at the Lenovo Center.
The Hurricanes and the Kraken split last season, with the home team winning both contests. Joey Daccord was outstanding in Raleigh, only for his performance to be foiled by third-period goals from Martinook and William Carrier in a 3-2 Carolina victory. When the Canes visited Seattle, Daccord was magnificent again, stopping 35 of 36 shots to best the visitors, 2-1.
Behind Enemy Lines: Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are a team stuck somewhere between a rock and a hard place. They're forced to make do with what they have because no one of note wants to make the journey. Just ask Artemi Panarin and Jason Robertson. They couldn't attract much during the offseason, with their only notable addition being Mackie Samoskevich via trade from the Florida Panthers.
While they sit just below the cut line in the Western Conference, they've outperformed many early assumptions about them. They have been a bit up and down lately, alternating wins and losses over their last six games. In a division with a clear 1-2 punch at the top, the Kraken could find their way into the third spot in the Pacific or a Wild Card spot.
To do that, they'll need to improve defensively. While their offense is in the Top 10 in goals per game, the Kraken are 29th in goals allowed per game and 31st on the penalty kill. Neither netminder has been particularly outstanding, though Philipp Grubauer likely has the slight edge over Joey Daccord. Of course, as I've already mentioned, Daccord was very good against the Canes last season.
Injury Report
Carolina: With Alexander Nikishin's return to the lineup against the Blackhawks last weekend, the only player currently dealing with an injury is the captain. Jordan Staal made the trip to Finland with the team, and he has been working as an extra at practice. I don't think we'll see him in the lineup during this trip, but I wouldn't say a return once the team is back in Raleigh is out of the question.
Seattle: The Kraken are without a very important part of their lineup in Finland. Jared McCann is out with a lower-body injury and isn't expected back until late December or early January. Curtis Douglas and Jacob Melanson are also dealing with injuries, though both made the trip. Seattle's defense should get a boost with Ryan Lindgren back in the fold.
Players to Watch
Sebastian Aho: For all of the great things that he has done throughout his career, this will be a trip that Aho never forgets. While he has played for his country before, he's getting to play NHL games in front of Finnish fans for the first time with the Hurricanes. Not only that, but he's chasing some team history, and it would be even sweeter if he broke it in Finland.
Taylor Hall: While this trip is very special for the Finnish players on both rosters, Hall is about to reach a personal milestone in Helsinki. Once he takes his first shift on Thursday, Hall will have played in his 1,000th NHL game. Having just returned to the lineup on Long Island last week, the extra days off should be beneficial to him as he tries to get his legs back under him.
Kaapo Kakko: The Kraken have two Finnish players who will certainly be in the lineup for these games, led by another Olympian. Joining Aho on Finland's bronze-winning team, the former second overall pick has found his spot in Seattle. Kakko returns to Finland on a three-game point streak, sitting tied for second on the Kraken in scoring.
Berkly Catton: Leading the Kraken in points is an impressive sophomore who comes into the Global Series on a serious heater. Catton is on an eight-game point streak, picking up a pair of helpers in Seattle's last game, last Saturday, against the Rangers. In 16 games, Catton has almost surpassed his rookie season totals, becoming a serious force in the Kraken lineup.
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