Kraken (14-14-1) vs. Panthers (17-9-2) | 7:00 p.m

First: Wright Line Humming

Rookie centerman Shane Wright has been playing “unencumbered,” according to coach Dan Bylsma, since being reset as a healthy player after three games and sat in the GM booth with Ron Francis and director of player development Jeff Tambellini for two periods during the home win over Nashville’s center November. However, Wright doesn’t play without accompaniment. His linemates Oliver Björkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen are on their heaters. That means Wright has scored six goals in eight games since being reinstated into the lineup. Bjorkstrand, who had a game-high four points in the wild win over the Rangers, now has 12 points in his last nine games. His seven-game point streak was broken with the only loss on the trip to New Jersey. We agree that Sunday got him back on the right track. Tolvanen had two goals and three assists in the Eastern Swing.

Of course, Bylsma likes the whole production and praises Björkstrand for “big goals at big times”, but also praises Wright and Tolvanen for being outstanding on defense and not only stopping an offensive rush, but also getting the puck up the ice quickly for scoring opportunities.

“I think we managed to improve chemistry,” Björkstrand said of his teammates. “We’ve done that in a few games now, so we’ll just build on it (on the homestand). I think we’re getting really comfortable with where the pucks are going to go and where other guys are going to be… A lot of good stuff.”

Second: Fourth line reinforced by another “Stevie”

Mitchell Stephens played his 100th^Th game on Sunday and scored his first Kraken point with an assist on a game-winning goal from teammate Brandon Tanev (who reached the 500-game mark on Thursday against the Islanders). He impressed at the faceoff circle and created scoring opportunities in the offensive zone (his powerful backhand move behind the net rattled the New York defense and allowed Brandon Tanev to get open for a pass and score the first of Sunday’s dramatic comeback goals). Often called “Stevie” by the Coachella Valley coaching staff, Bylsma chose “Mitchell.” Both sets of coaches like what they see from Yanni Gourde’s former Tampa Bay teammate during the Lightning’s Two Cup winning streak (TBL picked him 35th overall).^Th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft).

“The game changed (Sunday) with Mitchell’s line,” Bylsma said. “We crash (the net) there, get some pucks… his style of hockey, getting the puck around the net, he’s done that a couple of times in the last three games and this one ends up on Turbo’s stick.” . he had a great training camp. Unfortunately the numbers have dropped so much that we started the season with 12 strikers. Mitchell is confident. He is a smart player. He knows how to play the game to be successful anywhere in the lineup. And that’s PK too.”

Third: Know the enemy: Florida back on track

Forget the so-called “Cup hangover” for Florida. The Panthers started the season 4-3-1 and then went on a seven-game winning streak. After that, they experienced a burst of speed, losing six of their next seven games, including two home games against New Jersey in three nights, and a road loss to Chicago (?!). But since then, Florida has picked up six wins in its last seven games, including two blowout victories over Atlantic Division rival Carolina. And watch out: Clutch playoff star Matthew Tkachuk was just named the NHL’s first star for the week ending Sunday: five goals, six assists and two power play goals as part of his current six-game point streak. It should be an exciting night for former Panthers D-man Brandon Montour.