With captain Jordan Eberle sidelined after pelvis surgery and Seattle struggling with a five-game losing streak heading into the NHL’s Christmas break, the Kraken needed someone to step up if they were to avoid a third playoff DNQ in four seasons.
Enter Jaden Schwartz.
Coach Dan Bylsma called Schwartz a “man possessed” after the center helped the Kraken in a historic comeback last weekend at Vancouver. The Pacific Division rivals are scheduled to play again Thursday in Seattle.
“Schwartz has been front and center with some of the messaging on how we want to play and what we’re trying to do,” Bylsma said. “(Schwartz) is a gamer. He rises when the game’s on the line, when it’s an important game.”
On Saturday, Schwartz scored twice as the Kraken became the third team in league history to overcome a three-goal deficit in the final five minutes of regulation to win. Defenseman Vince Dunn also tallied late and added the winner on a breakaway in overtime as the Kraken rallied from a multi-goal deficit for the league-leading fifth time this season.
Schwartz and Dunn were teammates on the St. Louis Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup champions.
“So many people could take after him and learn from him,” Dunn said of Schwartz.
While the Kraken were enjoying the thrill of victory, the Canucks were experiencing the agony of defeat.
“Honestly, it’s pretty devastating,” Vancouver forward Jake DeBrusk said. “We should never be losing that game, let alone letting it get to overtime. But it just goes to show, there’s a couple bad bounces and a resilient team over there. You’ve got to give them credit, but it just reinforces the focus we have to have no matter what the score is. …
“Anytime that we have a two-goal lead there late, that’s got to be automatic.”
The Canucks played without defenseman Quinn Hughes and center Elias Pettersson because of undisclosed injuries. Coach Rick Tocchet confirmed neither was expected to make the trip to Seattle.
Both teams have played once since the Kraken’s comeback.
The Canucks took a 3-1 road loss to the Calgary Flames on Tuesday despite Brock Boeser’s sixth goal over the past four games. Kevin Lankinen made 26 saves for Vancouver, which has lost five of its past six games (1-2-3).
“I’m just coming to the rink every day and trying to work as hard as I can,” said Boeser, whose 14 goals are second on the team to DeBrusk’s 16. “I wish I’d be scoring and winning hockey games right now. I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing and try to help contribute to our team (winning).”
Tocchet seemed more pleased with the road effort.
“It was a hard-working game. A lot of emotion. Guys stuck together,” Tocchet said. “A couple self-inflicted goals that are preventable, but for the most part I thought the guys worked hard. A lot of guys gave effort.”
The Kraken backed up their historic victory by defeating the visiting Utah Hockey Club 5-2 on Monday as Schwartz had a goal and two assists.
“(Points) never come easy,” Schwartz said. “… I wasn’t happy with how we were playing (before the holiday break). I think each guy knew that we had a lot more to bring individually and for the team, and we’ve done a good job of that.”
Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (upper body) has missed the past two games and didn’t practice Wednesday, likely meaning Philipp Grubauer will again be in the net Thursday. Ales Stezka, who has yet to play in an NHL game, figures to remain the backup.
–Field Level Media
