Kraken (15-17-2) at Golden Knights (21-8-3) | 7:00 p.m

First: Back to the Win Column, Part 1

LAS VEGAS – Mid-month, Kraken GM Ron Francis sat down with KHN’s John Forslund in another segment of our “From the Front Office” series. Francis liked the way the Seattle team played in early December. As the Kraken look to get back in the win column with a style of play that has yielded nine points out of a possible twelve in the previous half dozen games, let’s take a look at Francis’ comments:

“I like the way we have played in the last two weeks. That’s more our identity. We all roll the dice (four lines, three defense pairs). We work hard, we fight hard and we find ways to win hockey games; That’s what we have to do every night… I thought the Carolina game was one of our best games of the season. We performed well from the start, ran and played the system well and hard.”

Forslund questioned Francis about sitting out players, including rookie Shane Wright and veterans Oliver Bjorkstrand and Andre Burakovsky, because they were healthy: “We’ve had to do that a few times this year. It’s not something you enjoy doing, but responsibility is an important part of a successful hockey team and knowing that your teammates can rely on you is important for a winning team, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to establish here.”

Second: Back to the win column, part 2

Oliver Björkstrand and Ryker Evans combined for the Kraken’s only goal on Thursday night, with “The Maestro” sending a crisp pass to Evans, whose second down after he opened up the ice toward the back door of the net at high speed in the third period broke the deficit to one goal and there is still enough time to score the equalizer. Both players spoke to the media after the game, focusing on getting better as a team rather than reliving the goal.

“We had an impetus in the third period,” said Björkstrand, “ideally we come out strong in the first third to dominate the game a little more.” We didn’t look particularly good in the first and second periods. “We have to find a way to get better, create a positive vibe in our game and find a way to get pucks behind us (opponents in the offensive zone).”

Getting pucks deep into the Vegas zone will be a key goal on Saturday. In an interview with KHN personality Piper Show during Thursday’s first intermission, alternate captain Yanni Gourde said straight-up that playing fast – the style required by the coaching staff – is an absolute must in every game: “We have to get (the puck) low and low place.” go to work. We have to trust our structure.”

“When you’re down like that, it’s going to come,” said Evans, who now has four goals on the season and is undoubtedly on the rise offensively (he and Matty Beneirs both have 17 points, fifth-most among the Kraken). . “We just have to focus on the details and implement them. Everything should somehow come together…we have great scorers on this team.”

Third, know the enemy: Vegas has won six of its last seven games

Division rival Vegas will be a difficult test for the Kraken as they look to end a three-game losing streak. VGK has the best winning percentage in the Western Conference at .703, with a record of 21-8-3 and a home record of 12-3-0. Jack Eichel continues to make Vegas look smart by taking him over. He has 42 points so far, including 33 assists.