As the Seattle Kraken were preparing to play Monday night in Calgary, the Boston Bruins were leaving the ice at Climate Pledge Arena following a lengthy practice.
The Bruins, who last played Saturday at Vancouver, will wrap up a five-game trip Tuesday against the host Kraken.
“It’s a good opportunity. We had a couple days between games, so trying to make the most out of it. Get better out there, long practice. You don’t get that many times during the season,” Bruins forward David Pastrnak said. “I think we turned the page a little bit the last couple games. Playing some good hockey. Still ways to improve, but all we’re worrying about is finishing on the right note (Tuesday) and grab the points and go home.”
The Bruins are 2-1-1 on their trip, winning their past two games and securing points in their past three. They were previously in an 0-4-2 slump before their current winning streak.
The Bruins triumphed 3-2 in overtime Saturday as Fraser Minten scored twice, including the winner, in his hometown.
Forward Tanner Jeannot and defenseman Henri Jokiharju, both coming off injuries, were full participants in practice, and coach Marco Sturm said the Bruins would determine Tuesday whether they’ll return to the lineup. Jokiharju could replace Hampus Lindholm, who didn’t skate Monday and is expected to be sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
“I think just play the same way — simple, hard, follow the system. Get everybody on the same page, I think that’s the key (Tuesday),” Jokiharju said. “Try to not take that many penalties. I think we will be good to go. But definitely just keep the foot on the gas and end this road trip on a high note.”
Morgan Geekie, the Bruins’ leading scorer with 25 goals, will return to Seattle, where he played for the Kraken in 2021-22 and 2022-23 after being selected in the expansion draft.
The offensively challenged Kraken sure could use Geekie, as his goals alone would put him third on the team in points behind only Jordan Eberle (27) and Chandler Stephenson (26).
The Kraken broke out with four third-period goals, and goaltender Philipp Grubauer tied a season-high with 41 saves in a 5-1 victory against the Flames. Former first-round pick Shane Wright scored the winner on his 22nd birthday, and Jacob Melanson netted his first career NHL goal.
“Playing in an NHL game is cool, but getting your first goal is unreal,” Melanson said.
Grubauer improved to 8-3-1 and has won four straight starts, allowing one goal in each of those wins.
“It’s nice to play a couple and not sit on the bench or not dress for four weeks,” Grubauer said. “It’s tough for any player in this league to come in, and then right away, jump. It’s basically coming out of summer break every time you play.
“It’s definitely nice to get the net a couple of times, but you also need to produce and need to win in order to stay in the NHL. The guys have done a phenomenal job in front of me. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible.”
The Kraken are riding an eight-game point streak (7-0-1) that has taken them from near the bottom of the NHL standings to within a point of first place in the Pacific Division.
Seattle’s streak followed a 1-9-1 skid.
“We’re playing a little bit more on our toes, instead of on our heels,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “A little bit before, we were trying to protect instead of going after it.”
–Field Level Media
