December 18, 2025 • 27 mins
Mike Benton with the Dec. 18 episode of Kraken This Morning ahead of the matchup at Scotiabank Saddledome between the Kraken and Calgary Flames. Mike shares practice comments from head coach Lane Lambert, and is joined by Flames radio host Pat Steinberg.
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Welcome to Kracking this morning, a presentation of the Kracking
Audio network. Ken Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM.
Here's Mike Benton.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
More games left until the holiday break. We welcome you
to Cracking this morning on a Thursday, December eighteenth, for
the first matchup of the season between the Seattle Kraken
and the Calgary Flames, where from the outside of Scotiabanks
Saddle Dome, frigid temperatures are hitting the area and we'll
talk more about it, plus the matchup in behind Calgary
(00:32):
with Pat Steinberg, radio host for Sportsnet ninety sixty the fan,
a familiar face in net for Calgary has steered them
right back into this mix where the Crackner trying to
hold out the Flames, who are both in a three
way tie with Nashville at thirty points a piece. The
Crackinger trying to snap out of three straight losses and
(00:52):
a run of just one win in their previous nine games.
Head coach Lane Lambert will hear more from him after
he met with the media at practice Wednesday at Kraken
Community ice Plex, in the wake of a game the
night prior where the Kraken gave the Colorado Avalanche, the
top team in the NHL record wise, a pretty good
run heading into period two with the games till very
(01:15):
much up for grabs. And here's how is senda with
the Kraken looking to stage a rally.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Now cockocco a three on two back in for Seattle
Cocko Cock go to the air side, knocked out. Shane
Wright fires, knocked away by black Book. Rebound it's in
bae go Shane right right in front the first shot
off the post. Shane right fools up the rebound. We're
(01:42):
tied one one, sixteen fifty seven to play in a second.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
But great off the rush scoring opportunity for Seattle list
they came so offensive zone entry if Shane Wright gets
the puck on det with Johnny Newman going hard than that.
Johnny Newman shovels the puck towards the blue paint, but
it's right, then finds it. It gets it past Blackwood.
This game's tied at one.
Speaker 5 (02:06):
Now the back in her back again.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Maddy biers center, pass in frog, want to save the
rebound the captain star Mackauzie Blackwood hey highlight reel save
in the high slot. But that's the captain torn it
Everly following.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Up the play Seattle with a toe on late in
the second well, it was Mandy Beers down the left
side who was looking for a pass. He found out
of Lars on the far side. Larson with a great
shot on gold and she said. Blackwood with what was
gonna be a game saving save makes it, leaves that
rebound for the Everly who's crashing the net.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
He puts it in two one, cracking hell. He told
it in the Stevenson far circle. Stevenson looks in the middle.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Shot stop.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Stevie Wonder through traffic from the right side and by
Blackwood the.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Seattle Kracken on the power play regain.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
The lead three two, Well, this all starts with a
zone intro with speed. Every dishes it over to Stevenson.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
They get set upon that half off fit's done. Down
to Stevenson, down to twelve Telveda, down to Stevenson. Stevenson
puts it on, then Bason marshmanson front for a screen.
I think this one goes straight in three two.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Cracks mccarr left side, McKinnon, back to mccarr, McKinnon again,
one timer turned away, the rebound in front.
Speaker 5 (03:35):
And Nelson scores.
Speaker 6 (03:39):
Philip Grubauer came to his right to make the save
a little slow getting back to us left and brought Nelson,
punching it in.
Speaker 7 (03:50):
The Avalanche their first power play goal of the day.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
And they regained the lead.
Speaker 7 (04:00):
It's now a four to three.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Colorado advanced those calls from everet fits you and Al
Kaniski as Nathan McKinnon in the third period alone, putting
up three points and doing.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
What he does best goals scoring. With the Kraken.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Oh so close to an upset of the Avalanche, but
Colorado skating away. Five to three is your final score,
with the Kraken slipping to one eight and one in
the last ten games, noticeably with recently the absence of
both Jaden Schwartz and Jared mccamm well, the Kraken coming
right back to work Wednesday at Kraken Community Ice. Plug
(04:35):
still looking for answers as far as question marks on
the injury side. The latest to that corner Brandon Montour,
who left period three after a scrum with Colorado's bram
Burns before Pasteinberg joins us. The latest on Montor inside
behind the Kraken getting right back to work, looking for
the next level offensively and much more. Right here with
(04:56):
krackenhead coach Lane Lambert meeting with the media after practic.
Speaker 8 (05:00):
We just continue to work on some some offensive concepts
and you know, I think from that standpoint, we're growing
in that area. You know, may not seem like it necessarily,
but certainly our opportunities are there. We created a ton
of opportunities last night, and you know, we have to
(05:21):
continue to do so lighthearted. You know, you have to
move forward. You know, there's there's no other way around it.
What's happened has happened. What's done is done, and you've
got to move forward and look forward to the next game,
which is you know, Calgary tomorrow, and we've got four
divisional games coming up here before Christmas, so big, big
(05:43):
stretch of games here on this road trip for us.
Speaker 9 (05:45):
I know it's on apples apples comparison, but your first
season on Long Island, the team went through a one
seven three stretch before the All Star break and then
half roine like nineteen nine, And what can you know
what you remember by.
Speaker 8 (05:59):
The time, and what can you I'm alm that's a
great question. I think, Uh, you know, the the the
similarities are there doing a lot of good things and
just you know, instead of maybe finding ways to win,
I had some heartbreaking losses like we're having now. Uh,
(06:21):
stick with the plans, stick with the process, believe in
it and eventually, you know, it has a tendency to
turn turn for you.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
You know.
Speaker 8 (06:31):
Again, the bottom line is we're not winning, so we
can you know, look at it in any different way
we want. We've played well enough to win. Now we
have to get over the hump and win. And there's
moments in games that are costing us and we have
to understand you know, what those moments are, and a
(06:54):
lot of them are focused in battle.
Speaker 9 (06:56):
And how do you, I guess, go about trying to
go that.
Speaker 8 (07:00):
Well, we just you know, you have to continue to
to learn, learn through video. You hold them accountable. You know,
some players play, some players don't play. You switch the lineup.
You have to have guys understand that every second on
the ice is is extremely important. So I do see
(07:25):
some similarities between you know what you said when you
asked me the question. And you know the nice thing
is the similarities are you know, we came out of
that and took off and I think we can do
that here.
Speaker 9 (07:38):
No, what is Brandon Author's status.
Speaker 8 (07:42):
He's being evaluated later today. As of right now, I
don't expect him to probably play in Calgary, but we'll
see is you know, travel with the team, he will
be evaluated and we will see from there and then
you know, I would expect him to potentially join the
team here at some point during the trip.
Speaker 7 (08:01):
How much of a.
Speaker 10 (08:02):
Challenge is it to kind of keep with that accountability
on a player and a player basis when you have
the injuries that you've had, you can't force your hands.
Speaker 8 (08:09):
One.
Speaker 10 (08:09):
Guys haven't always been feeling great. You know, there's been
a day sickness, going through everything. Like what's the challenge
you like as a coach when you know maybe some
guy needs to sit after a mistake or whatever. But
then like, okay, who's who's healthy here?
Speaker 8 (08:22):
Yeah, that's a great question. Uh, it's a challenge. But
at the end of the day, you know you have
to find your way through that challenge. Uh, you know,
as a coach and and through the player. It's again
it's about you know, trying to find a way to
you know, maybe sure you maybe have to shorten the
bench in order to do that right, which you know,
(08:43):
which I did the other night. You know, it's like
your kids if they keep breaking curfew, do you let
them go out to the party. Uh, you know you've
got to kind of you know, make sure that you
maintain that and and have our have our guys learn
where we're learning on the fly a little bit here.
You know, we're I believe we're playing actually better right
(09:04):
now in this stretch. Then maybe we played in a
stretch where we were winning hockey games, which is the
irony of the whole thing. But we have to understand that.
You know, that form of accountability has to happen. And
there's no question it does become a challenge when you
don't have enough healthy bodies.
Speaker 10 (09:23):
How do you handle the message to the team like that,
when you feel like when you played better and when
he gets bored.
Speaker 8 (09:29):
Last Yeah, well it's tough, you know, and the guys
are feeling it, there's no question. But like I said,
that was the past and we got to move on.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I like, yeah, he did have played a pretty big
game last night. It looks like he's maybe building.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Conference this last week or so.
Speaker 9 (09:43):
What it is from your dad, I'm I'm just.
Speaker 8 (09:45):
Playing for you right now. Yeah, I thought he played
better last night, much better. I thought he was more
detailed in certain areas that you know, maybe he was
lacking the game before. And that's progress for me. And
you know, a big body went to the he went
to the net hard on a few occasions, and he
was better defensively last night. So I look forward to
continuing to see that progression out of him.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
On the other side of his mind, with Coppo Cogo,
it's but you know, mentioned injuries, has been tough with them.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
What have you seen out of his game?
Speaker 10 (10:12):
And maybe what he's trying to do right now is
that line seemed to play pretty well last night.
Speaker 8 (10:18):
They've actually played well when they've played together, the three
of them, for almost every game, you know, and you know,
they've had little wretches in game where maybe they've had
some tough shifts, but overall, I think they've played well.
I think Coppo was getting his speed up. You know,
he's been trying to catch a moving train here, uh
(10:41):
since training camp when he got you know, slashed and
and had that injury. And I feel like as we
go along here, the more reps he gets, the more
games he gets. I feel like he's getting better and better.
He's you know, owning Pox, holding onto Pox, making more
plays now than he was you know when he first
came back, and not an easy thing to do when
(11:02):
you miss training camp last ten games.
Speaker 9 (11:05):
Is there a through line in your eyes, like, are
there like two or three things that you think are
really getting.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Your team controuble right now?
Speaker 8 (11:13):
There's a couple of things that I could certainly pinpoint
a couple of areas that you know, and we're we're
working on them. A couple of areas that we have
to be better in. And these are certain areas that
I believe, you know, they're the They're the difference between
winning and losing. And like I said, there's there's a
certain battle level and a certain understanding to uh, you know,
(11:34):
playing the game with that battle level that we have
to get to.
Speaker 9 (11:40):
What conversations if you with Jason, there are anyone in
management about the state of the team and the direction
of the season.
Speaker 8 (11:47):
Uh, well, we talk every day.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
You know.
Speaker 8 (11:50):
Obviously, clearly nobody's happy with, you know, with our record,
nobody's happy with the stretch of home games that we
just had. Our fans are amazing and know, you know,
extremely supportive. I know that, you know, they appreciate the
work that the guys are putting in, the commitment they're
putting in, you know, to blocking shots and everything else
(12:11):
from that level, you know, So certainly we understand that.
But you know, nobody's happy with where we're at at
the moment. But we also do feel like we are
seeing you know, and I said that the irony of
the whole thing is we're seeing some progression in different areas,
so you know, we have to also take that into
(12:33):
account as well.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
All right, for a look on the Flame side.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Pat Steinberg, our friend of course the podcast, joining us
right now. He is a Flames radio host, heard on
Sports at nine to sixty The Thin Pat, thank you
again for doing this and winter weather is never an
easy thing. And snow right now pounding Calgary, getting right
to the point, and how you holding up, my friend?
Speaker 7 (12:54):
Good good, We're all all good here. It's kind of
we're kind of used to it here. It's it's nothing
new in mid December to get something like this. We
just haven't had it yet this year. It's been a
pretty mild winter so far. Good thing they had to close. Y.
I see the airport which is you know, like the
second busiest airport in Western Canada outside of Vancouver, and
(13:19):
and so it was closed for about eight hours, and
so it's over the last for about the following four
or five hours. It looks like lax they had to
land so many planes, but the Flames and the Kraken
got in before. So everybody is good to go and
the game will be played on Thursday night.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Safety matter, isn't good to hear that boat teams getting
in safely for this game for coming up this evening,
pat First off, I want to kind of look at
where the Flames are right now versus last year and
last season at the very end, nearly getting in by
the hair of their chinning chin chin. Dustin Wolf a
big part of this. He struggled early on here for
(13:59):
this sea, but yet he's found his game underneath the hood.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
Though.
Speaker 5 (14:03):
Differences of the Flames last year versus this year.
Speaker 7 (14:07):
Where do you begin, Well, I think I think early
goaltending and that story would be number one because it did.
It wasn't the same as it was last year. And
you know, Wolf's first six or seven games were not
at the same quality that we're used to from him.
And you know, ever since that time, he's really turned
(14:29):
his season around and gotten back to a level that
we're more used to with him. But that put the
Flames behind the eight ball. That wasn't the only reason, though,
and I would say that the biggest thing that we've
seen and the Flames at this point last year were
you know, protecting a playoff spot and living off a
pretty good start to the season and setting themselves up
for a year where they played eighty one meaningful games
(14:52):
and missed out on the playoffs by one point when
it was all said and done. Fast forward to to
this year, thirty four games in, and the the biggest
issue I think would be then, you know, they just
haven't had the same type of consistently strong performances from
some of their best players. And you know, Jonathan Huberdo
was a really consistent impact maker last year and had
(15:16):
his best season as a member of the Plans. That
has him been the case all year this year. Nazem
Kadri hasn't been as much of an impact maker, although
he's still one of their primary drivers, has n't been
one of their primary I haven't been as much of
a driver. Mackenzie Wiger had a really tough first twenty
twenty five games. Probably played himself off of Team Canada
(15:37):
at the Olympics, and he was such a massive part
of last year. So when and then you add in
Dustin Wolfs and Matt Coronado got off to a slow
start on the goal scoring front, and you know, they
just haven't been able to have the same type of
driving performances, quality driving performances from the guys that they've needed,
(15:59):
and the the lack of offense has reared its ugly
head again. And while it's turned around and they're no
longer thirty second overall in goals per game now, the
team they're playing on Thursday year team would be that team.
So we've got number thirty one and thirty two in
goal scoring on Thursday night. That has been an issue
all year for the Flames and so it's kind of
(16:19):
rolled itself into a ball where they put themselves way
way behind the eight ball at two nine and two
to start the year. They've gone in an eight four
and one run in their last thirteen and that's ridden
them from thirty second overall to thirty first overall. So
it's a tough spot for them, but those would be
the major differences I would point.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
To, Yeah, no surprise to see Dustin will play in
the way he's playing once again in matters getting better
despite what's happening elsewhere, and it looks like that he's
taking the mantle with him Devin Cooley as well, and
Wolf getting the majority of the starts. But I want
to go to Ryan Hushka and what's been evolving maybe
in this most recent run path that you got out
here for thirteen games, we hear that, you know, a
(17:01):
little more grip shop blocking into the conversation, keeping played
towards the outside.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
So what has to find this run? You think under
the hood in this most recent stretch A few things.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
Number one would be they finally have found some consistent
line combinations. So that had been something that it was
almost gamed game would be something different. It was they
were trying to the first, you know, twenty to twenty
five games, trying to find combinations that worked both in
(17:32):
there their forward groups specifically, but even on their defense pairs.
But over the last thirteen fourteen games they've found some
real continuity. Morgan Frost has settled in with Coronado and
hoober Do Nazen Kadri's played with Joel Ferraby and Diegor
Sharon Govich and Michael Backman and Blake Coleman, who are
a duo all the teams all the time, rather have
(17:53):
settled in with Connor Zerry. So their top nine forwards
have continuously been together and that really hasn't changed over
the last little bit. That would be number one. Number
two is they solidified their top four on defense. Kevin
Ball and Rasmus Anderson has been this team's top pairing
all year long. And Rasmus is having a career season
(18:17):
and has really put himself in line for a really
nice contract. Is depending unrestricted free agent wherever he ends
up signing. But Mackenzie Leger hasn't been able to find
a consistent pairing. He and Joel Hanley played the final
about thirty five games together and turned into Calvary's top
pairing last year, but Joel Hanley hasn't been able to
(18:39):
be that same guy, and so it was really a
struggle to find a consistent, consistent partner for Mackenzie Leaguer,
and so over the last thirteen fourteen games, they've put
in former second round pick INCO's netstop and He's really
helped to solidify that and that's made a big difference.
(18:59):
And they just have settled into more of a brand
of hockey. The final they had se mic because if
they've settled into a brand of hockey, but they played
consistently all year last year, as you said, keeping things
to the outside, stingy defensively, they don't allow a lot
of quality opportunities, and so they're able to win some
lower scoring games and we've seen that a whole lot
(19:20):
more in the best example of that most recently was
Saturday night where they played kind of a drag him out,
grinded out type of game in Los Angeles and eventually
beat them to one in overtime, which was kind of
exactly how the Flames want their games to go. And
we've seen that happening a little bit more as well.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
I think if one thing's for certain, as again past
Timberg joining us on Cracking this morning about Rasmus Anderson,
is guaranteed a lot of pucks are going to flow
through him game after game. You brought up the ascension
of his game here at this point, he only needs
four more goals to reach his career high, said twice
of eleven. He's got twenty two points already in thirty
(19:59):
four games, and of course the talk of potential trade
conversations or an extension as well. We'll see what happens
as we get closer and closer here to marsh. But
if anything, what's maybe surprised you about Anderson's game at
this point, Pat The.
Speaker 7 (20:12):
Biggest thing that surprised me is how he's been able
to bounce back because he had he had a really
difficult season last year, and the way he's been able
to bounce back with all of what's swirling around him,
because Rasmus Anderson is the number one kind of trade target,
(20:32):
and he's the number one bullet point amongst Flames fans
when they're talking about potential trades, and he knows that.
He's as aware and dialed in on what's being said
about the team as anybody I've ever covered in the sport,
and so he knows what the narrative is. And yet
he's out there and playing the best talking maybe of
(20:56):
his career, and that can't be easy to do. The
way that he is contributing offensively and generating offensively, how
so much as you mentioned is flowing through him and
yet he and Kevin Ball are playing the toughest defensive
minutes on the team as well. He's been dynamite, and
I don't think it's close in terms of the first
(21:16):
thirty four games, who's been their best player and most
consistent player, and that's Rasmus. So that's maybe what surprised
me the most. I didn't know what to expect. You know,
he's never been in this situation before, and there was
going to be a lot of rumor, a lot of
innuendo about what's going to happen, and you know, the
betting odds would suggest he is going to get traded
(21:37):
between now and the early March trade deadline. And yet
he's gone out there been the same old guy, the
same old leader. Personality hasn't changed, demeanor hasn't changed, and
he's gone out there and gotten back to the Rasmus
Anderson that you know has clearly been one of the
best players on this team for the balance of the
last five years. So that to me would be the
(21:59):
most impressed thing and most surprising thing, because I just
didn't know what to expect from them with all of
the potential distraction that was gonna surround them. I give
them a lot of credit.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Finally, the Flames that played a ton of road games already,
but yet as they stand seven points back of the
cut line like the Kraken. Coming up in their schedule
after this one, there's Vegas two games with Edmonton late
December home against Boston, then New Year's Eve against Philadelphia.
What defines the magnitude of this next stretch of games
(22:30):
coming up here for the Flames?
Speaker 7 (22:31):
Pat Well, it's so funny you asked that, because in
this market, like there's a there's such a debate going on,
and there's such a kind of a two sided conversation
going on about what's best for this team. Is it
best for this team to continue to be a thirty
of thirty first thirty second team and get themselves a
high pick, because there is a very large and extremely
(22:53):
vocal contingent of Flames fans who believe that that is
truly what the organization needs if they're going to return
to being a Stanley Cup contender. And with Kevin McKenna
and Keaton Verhoff and i've our Senberg and Tynan and
Lawrence all hovering around at the top of the twenty
twenty sixth draft, there's a real appetite in this market
(23:14):
to potentially see the Flames finish in a spot like that,
So you know there'd be some would say, well, the
magnitude is that they got to stay in thirty first
thirty second place, fair enough, I understand that. But inside
that locker room and that coaching staff, they want to
win hockey games and they want to get themselves back
into the mix, and so they have played a lot
of road games. Their October was an absolute gauntlet when
(23:36):
it came to opposition road games and scheduled loss teams,
just with how the games were coming at them in
tough spots three and four, five and eight. Just it
was a horrible October and it showed partially in the
in the record where they went two eight and two
in October, then started November with a regulation loss as well.
So I mean, this is an opportunity for them to
(23:58):
work themselves a little bit more back into it, because
after a road game at Edmonton on the twenty third,
they do have a pretty solid contingent here of home games.
It has been a extremely road heavy schedule. They played
amongst the most road games in the NHL so far,
so as they move towards the first half of the
season coming to a close, they do have a chance
(24:18):
to maybe make a little hay on home ice, and
they have been pretty solid on home ice. So they
sit seven backs, they sit, you know, thirty first overall,
and honestly, where they are four games below five hundred
is probably where they should be by the body of
work that they've shown us through thirty four games. But
they do have an opportunity to maybe evolve their season
(24:42):
here in this stretch. We'll see if they can do it.
The problem is, I do think that we are going
to see a couple of trades that are going to
send some pretty important players out the door. Rasmus Anderson,
I think is going to be dealt and you take
him away from this team, and it's going to make
him more on the ice significantly. And you know, if
Blake Coleman gets dealt, the same is true with the
(25:04):
type of season he's having and the type of contributor
he always is. So it's gonna be a fascinating next
I don't know, say fifteen to twenty games around this
team moving towards the Olympic break, Like which direction do
they lean into? I think we got a pretty good idea,
but it's still going to be really interesting.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Trade freeze kicks in by this weekend then for seven
days after that's it. You'll just kind of feel like
after we get past New Year's the Olympic break will
be sneaking right up on us and bringing down our
next pat appreciate this first match over the season coming up.
Thanks again for joining us.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Man, appreciate it, Mike, see you man all right.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Big thank you to past Einberg for joining us as
the Crack and we'll face the Flames three times and
this regular season the Krack and caring and all time
record for to one and two at the Saddle Dome.
They'll come back to Calgary next month for one more
matchup on the fifth of Janey. With montour status in doubt,
you can expect a little bit more as far as
(26:04):
offensive flow going right through the likes of Vince Dunn,
Jordan Eberly and Chandler Stevenson. Everly, of course, the first
Crack and ford En player to hit double digits and
goals scoring, He's made his offseason home in Calgary an
extra special layer. The numbers certainly back that up. He
loves facing Calgary with a near point per game production
(26:24):
at a forty two point fifty game clip for his
career head to head Chandler Stevenson's got points in six
consecutive games done. Meanwhile, who logs a ton of ice
time at the back end, is one point off the
Kraken scoring lead with nineteen points so far on the season,
owning twelve points in twenty one games against the Flames
(26:44):
for his career. Lake Coleman, meanwhile, carries goals and back
to back games for Calgary, and as far as the
go two players on the Flames, no one's been more
of a handful than Nosam Kadri with seventeen points in
just fourteen games against the Kraken that leads all Flames
lifetime in the head to head series. Looking forward to
having you face off once again, six pm Pacific from
(27:06):
Scotia Banks Saddle Dome airtime, five point thirty pregame shows
served up by Frostprewed cors Light Choose Chill ever written
now in the booth and Calgary, I'll join you back
in Network Central, and we certainly hope that you can
join us. Big thank you to Paste Einberg for being
with us and for Kraken this morning, I'm Mike Benton.
Speaker 5 (27:24):
Enjoyed the game and have a happy Thursday.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
You're home for the Kraken Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ r FM
Welcome to Kracking this morning, a presentation of the Kracking
Audio network. Ken Sports Radio ninety three point three KJR FM.
Here's Mike Benton.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
More games left until the holiday break. We welcome you
to Cracking this morning on a Thursday, December eighteenth, for
the first matchup of the season between the Seattle Kraken
and the Calgary Flames, where from the outside of Scotiabanks
Saddle Dome, frigid temperatures are hitting the area and we'll
talk more about it, plus the matchup in behind Calgary
(00:32):
with Pat Steinberg, radio host for Sportsnet ninety sixty the fan,
a familiar face in net for Calgary has steered them
right back into this mix where the Crackner trying to
hold out the Flames, who are both in a three
way tie with Nashville at thirty points a piece. The
Crackinger trying to snap out of three straight losses and
(00:52):
a run of just one win in their previous nine games.
Head coach Lane Lambert will hear more from him after
he met with the media at practice Wednesday at Kraken
Community ice Plex, in the wake of a game the
night prior where the Kraken gave the Colorado Avalanche, the
top team in the NHL record wise, a pretty good
run heading into period two with the games till very
(01:15):
much up for grabs. And here's how is senda with
the Kraken looking to stage a rally.
Speaker 3 (01:20):
Now cockocco a three on two back in for Seattle
Cocko Cock go to the air side, knocked out. Shane
Wright fires, knocked away by black Book. Rebound it's in
bae go Shane right right in front the first shot
off the post. Shane right fools up the rebound. We're
(01:42):
tied one one, sixteen fifty seven to play in a second.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
But great off the rush scoring opportunity for Seattle list
they came so offensive zone entry if Shane Wright gets
the puck on det with Johnny Newman going hard than that.
Johnny Newman shovels the puck towards the blue paint, but
it's right, then finds it. It gets it past Blackwood.
This game's tied at one.
Speaker 5 (02:06):
Now the back in her back again.
Speaker 3 (02:07):
Maddy biers center, pass in frog, want to save the
rebound the captain star Mackauzie Blackwood hey highlight reel save
in the high slot. But that's the captain torn it
Everly following.
Speaker 4 (02:25):
Up the play Seattle with a toe on late in
the second well, it was Mandy Beers down the left
side who was looking for a pass. He found out
of Lars on the far side. Larson with a great
shot on gold and she said. Blackwood with what was
gonna be a game saving save makes it, leaves that
rebound for the Everly who's crashing the net.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
He puts it in two one, cracking hell. He told
it in the Stevenson far circle. Stevenson looks in the middle.
Speaker 1 (02:51):
Shot stop.
Speaker 3 (03:00):
Stevie Wonder through traffic from the right side and by
Blackwood the.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Seattle Kracken on the power play regain.
Speaker 5 (03:09):
The lead three two, Well, this all starts with a
zone intro with speed. Every dishes it over to Stevenson.
Speaker 4 (03:15):
They get set upon that half off fit's done. Down
to Stevenson, down to twelve Telveda, down to Stevenson. Stevenson
puts it on, then Bason marshmanson front for a screen.
I think this one goes straight in three two.
Speaker 6 (03:27):
Cracks mccarr left side, McKinnon, back to mccarr, McKinnon again,
one timer turned away, the rebound in front.
Speaker 5 (03:35):
And Nelson scores.
Speaker 6 (03:39):
Philip Grubauer came to his right to make the save
a little slow getting back to us left and brought Nelson,
punching it in.
Speaker 7 (03:50):
The Avalanche their first power play goal of the day.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
And they regained the lead.
Speaker 7 (04:00):
It's now a four to three.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
Colorado advanced those calls from everet fits you and Al
Kaniski as Nathan McKinnon in the third period alone, putting
up three points and doing.
Speaker 5 (04:11):
What he does best goals scoring. With the Kraken.
Speaker 2 (04:14):
Oh so close to an upset of the Avalanche, but
Colorado skating away. Five to three is your final score,
with the Kraken slipping to one eight and one in
the last ten games, noticeably with recently the absence of
both Jaden Schwartz and Jared mccamm well, the Kraken coming
right back to work Wednesday at Kraken Community Ice. Plug
(04:35):
still looking for answers as far as question marks on
the injury side. The latest to that corner Brandon Montour,
who left period three after a scrum with Colorado's bram
Burns before Pasteinberg joins us. The latest on Montor inside
behind the Kraken getting right back to work, looking for
the next level offensively and much more. Right here with
(04:56):
krackenhead coach Lane Lambert meeting with the media after practic.
Speaker 8 (05:00):
We just continue to work on some some offensive concepts
and you know, I think from that standpoint, we're growing
in that area. You know, may not seem like it necessarily,
but certainly our opportunities are there. We created a ton
of opportunities last night, and you know, we have to
(05:21):
continue to do so lighthearted. You know, you have to
move forward. You know, there's there's no other way around it.
What's happened has happened. What's done is done, and you've
got to move forward and look forward to the next game,
which is you know, Calgary tomorrow, and we've got four
divisional games coming up here before Christmas, so big, big
(05:43):
stretch of games here on this road trip for us.
Speaker 9 (05:45):
I know it's on apples apples comparison, but your first
season on Long Island, the team went through a one
seven three stretch before the All Star break and then
half roine like nineteen nine, And what can you know
what you remember by.
Speaker 8 (05:59):
The time, and what can you I'm alm that's a
great question. I think, Uh, you know, the the the
similarities are there doing a lot of good things and
just you know, instead of maybe finding ways to win,
I had some heartbreaking losses like we're having now. Uh,
(06:21):
stick with the plans, stick with the process, believe in
it and eventually, you know, it has a tendency to
turn turn for you.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
You know.
Speaker 8 (06:31):
Again, the bottom line is we're not winning, so we
can you know, look at it in any different way
we want. We've played well enough to win. Now we
have to get over the hump and win. And there's
moments in games that are costing us and we have
to understand you know, what those moments are, and a
(06:54):
lot of them are focused in battle.
Speaker 9 (06:56):
And how do you, I guess, go about trying to
go that.
Speaker 8 (07:00):
Well, we just you know, you have to continue to
to learn, learn through video. You hold them accountable. You know,
some players play, some players don't play. You switch the lineup.
You have to have guys understand that every second on
the ice is is extremely important. So I do see
(07:25):
some similarities between you know what you said when you
asked me the question. And you know the nice thing
is the similarities are you know, we came out of
that and took off and I think we can do
that here.
Speaker 9 (07:38):
No, what is Brandon Author's status.
Speaker 8 (07:42):
He's being evaluated later today. As of right now, I
don't expect him to probably play in Calgary, but we'll
see is you know, travel with the team, he will
be evaluated and we will see from there and then
you know, I would expect him to potentially join the
team here at some point during the trip.
Speaker 7 (08:01):
How much of a.
Speaker 10 (08:02):
Challenge is it to kind of keep with that accountability
on a player and a player basis when you have
the injuries that you've had, you can't force your hands.
Speaker 8 (08:09):
One.
Speaker 10 (08:09):
Guys haven't always been feeling great. You know, there's been
a day sickness, going through everything. Like what's the challenge
you like as a coach when you know maybe some
guy needs to sit after a mistake or whatever. But
then like, okay, who's who's healthy here?
Speaker 8 (08:22):
Yeah, that's a great question. Uh, it's a challenge. But
at the end of the day, you know you have
to find your way through that challenge. Uh, you know,
as a coach and and through the player. It's again
it's about you know, trying to find a way to
you know, maybe sure you maybe have to shorten the
bench in order to do that right, which you know,
(08:43):
which I did the other night. You know, it's like
your kids if they keep breaking curfew, do you let
them go out to the party. Uh, you know you've
got to kind of you know, make sure that you
maintain that and and have our have our guys learn
where we're learning on the fly a little bit here.
You know, we're I believe we're playing actually better right
(09:04):
now in this stretch. Then maybe we played in a
stretch where we were winning hockey games, which is the
irony of the whole thing. But we have to understand that.
You know, that form of accountability has to happen. And
there's no question it does become a challenge when you
don't have enough healthy bodies.
Speaker 10 (09:23):
How do you handle the message to the team like that,
when you feel like when you played better and when
he gets bored.
Speaker 8 (09:29):
Last Yeah, well it's tough, you know, and the guys
are feeling it, there's no question. But like I said,
that was the past and we got to move on.
Speaker 1 (09:39):
I like, yeah, he did have played a pretty big
game last night. It looks like he's maybe building.
Speaker 5 (09:42):
Conference this last week or so.
Speaker 9 (09:43):
What it is from your dad, I'm I'm just.
Speaker 8 (09:45):
Playing for you right now. Yeah, I thought he played
better last night, much better. I thought he was more
detailed in certain areas that you know, maybe he was
lacking the game before. And that's progress for me. And
you know, a big body went to the he went
to the net hard on a few occasions, and he
was better defensively last night. So I look forward to
continuing to see that progression out of him.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
On the other side of his mind, with Coppo Cogo,
it's but you know, mentioned injuries, has been tough with them.
Speaker 8 (10:11):
What have you seen out of his game?
Speaker 10 (10:12):
And maybe what he's trying to do right now is
that line seemed to play pretty well last night.
Speaker 8 (10:18):
They've actually played well when they've played together, the three
of them, for almost every game, you know, and you know,
they've had little wretches in game where maybe they've had
some tough shifts, but overall, I think they've played well.
I think Coppo was getting his speed up. You know,
he's been trying to catch a moving train here, uh
(10:41):
since training camp when he got you know, slashed and
and had that injury. And I feel like as we
go along here, the more reps he gets, the more
games he gets. I feel like he's getting better and better.
He's you know, owning Pox, holding onto Pox, making more
plays now than he was you know when he first
came back, and not an easy thing to do when
(11:02):
you miss training camp last ten games.
Speaker 9 (11:05):
Is there a through line in your eyes, like, are
there like two or three things that you think are
really getting.
Speaker 3 (11:11):
Your team controuble right now?
Speaker 8 (11:13):
There's a couple of things that I could certainly pinpoint
a couple of areas that you know, and we're we're
working on them. A couple of areas that we have
to be better in. And these are certain areas that
I believe, you know, they're the They're the difference between
winning and losing. And like I said, there's there's a
certain battle level and a certain understanding to uh, you know,
(11:34):
playing the game with that battle level that we have
to get to.
Speaker 9 (11:40):
What conversations if you with Jason, there are anyone in
management about the state of the team and the direction
of the season.
Speaker 8 (11:47):
Uh, well, we talk every day.
Speaker 1 (11:49):
You know.
Speaker 8 (11:50):
Obviously, clearly nobody's happy with, you know, with our record,
nobody's happy with the stretch of home games that we
just had. Our fans are amazing and know, you know,
extremely supportive. I know that, you know, they appreciate the
work that the guys are putting in, the commitment they're
putting in, you know, to blocking shots and everything else
(12:11):
from that level, you know, So certainly we understand that.
But you know, nobody's happy with where we're at at
the moment. But we also do feel like we are
seeing you know, and I said that the irony of
the whole thing is we're seeing some progression in different areas,
so you know, we have to also take that into
(12:33):
account as well.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
All right, for a look on the Flame side.
Speaker 2 (12:35):
Pat Steinberg, our friend of course the podcast, joining us
right now. He is a Flames radio host, heard on
Sports at nine to sixty The Thin Pat, thank you
again for doing this and winter weather is never an
easy thing. And snow right now pounding Calgary, getting right
to the point, and how you holding up, my friend?
Speaker 7 (12:54):
Good good, We're all all good here. It's kind of
we're kind of used to it here. It's it's nothing
new in mid December to get something like this. We
just haven't had it yet this year. It's been a
pretty mild winter so far. Good thing they had to close. Y.
I see the airport which is you know, like the
second busiest airport in Western Canada outside of Vancouver, and
(13:19):
and so it was closed for about eight hours, and
so it's over the last for about the following four
or five hours. It looks like lax they had to
land so many planes, but the Flames and the Kraken
got in before. So everybody is good to go and
the game will be played on Thursday night.
Speaker 2 (13:38):
Safety matter, isn't good to hear that boat teams getting
in safely for this game for coming up this evening,
pat First off, I want to kind of look at
where the Flames are right now versus last year and
last season at the very end, nearly getting in by
the hair of their chinning chin chin. Dustin Wolf a
big part of this. He struggled early on here for
(13:59):
this sea, but yet he's found his game underneath the hood.
Speaker 6 (14:03):
Though.
Speaker 5 (14:03):
Differences of the Flames last year versus this year.
Speaker 7 (14:07):
Where do you begin, Well, I think I think early
goaltending and that story would be number one because it did.
It wasn't the same as it was last year. And
you know, Wolf's first six or seven games were not
at the same quality that we're used to from him.
And you know, ever since that time, he's really turned
(14:29):
his season around and gotten back to a level that
we're more used to with him. But that put the
Flames behind the eight ball. That wasn't the only reason, though,
and I would say that the biggest thing that we've
seen and the Flames at this point last year were
you know, protecting a playoff spot and living off a
pretty good start to the season and setting themselves up
for a year where they played eighty one meaningful games
(14:52):
and missed out on the playoffs by one point when
it was all said and done. Fast forward to to
this year, thirty four games in, and the the biggest
issue I think would be then, you know, they just
haven't had the same type of consistently strong performances from
some of their best players. And you know, Jonathan Huberdo
was a really consistent impact maker last year and had
(15:16):
his best season as a member of the Plans. That
has him been the case all year this year. Nazem
Kadri hasn't been as much of an impact maker, although
he's still one of their primary drivers, has n't been
one of their primary I haven't been as much of
a driver. Mackenzie Wiger had a really tough first twenty
twenty five games. Probably played himself off of Team Canada
(15:37):
at the Olympics, and he was such a massive part
of last year. So when and then you add in
Dustin Wolfs and Matt Coronado got off to a slow
start on the goal scoring front, and you know, they
just haven't been able to have the same type of
driving performances, quality driving performances from the guys that they've needed,
(15:59):
and the the lack of offense has reared its ugly
head again. And while it's turned around and they're no
longer thirty second overall in goals per game now, the
team they're playing on Thursday year team would be that team.
So we've got number thirty one and thirty two in
goal scoring on Thursday night. That has been an issue
all year for the Flames and so it's kind of
(16:19):
rolled itself into a ball where they put themselves way
way behind the eight ball at two nine and two
to start the year. They've gone in an eight four
and one run in their last thirteen and that's ridden
them from thirty second overall to thirty first overall. So
it's a tough spot for them, but those would be
the major differences I would point.
Speaker 2 (16:40):
To, Yeah, no surprise to see Dustin will play in
the way he's playing once again in matters getting better
despite what's happening elsewhere, and it looks like that he's
taking the mantle with him Devin Cooley as well, and
Wolf getting the majority of the starts. But I want
to go to Ryan Hushka and what's been evolving maybe
in this most recent run path that you got out
here for thirteen games, we hear that, you know, a
(17:01):
little more grip shop blocking into the conversation, keeping played
towards the outside.
Speaker 5 (17:06):
So what has to find this run? You think under
the hood in this most recent stretch A few things.
Speaker 7 (17:12):
Number one would be they finally have found some consistent
line combinations. So that had been something that it was
almost gamed game would be something different. It was they
were trying to the first, you know, twenty to twenty
five games, trying to find combinations that worked both in
(17:32):
there their forward groups specifically, but even on their defense pairs.
But over the last thirteen fourteen games they've found some
real continuity. Morgan Frost has settled in with Coronado and
hoober Do Nazen Kadri's played with Joel Ferraby and Diegor
Sharon Govich and Michael Backman and Blake Coleman, who are
a duo all the teams all the time, rather have
(17:53):
settled in with Connor Zerry. So their top nine forwards
have continuously been together and that really hasn't changed over
the last little bit. That would be number one. Number
two is they solidified their top four on defense. Kevin
Ball and Rasmus Anderson has been this team's top pairing
all year long. And Rasmus is having a career season
(18:17):
and has really put himself in line for a really
nice contract. Is depending unrestricted free agent wherever he ends
up signing. But Mackenzie Leger hasn't been able to find
a consistent pairing. He and Joel Hanley played the final
about thirty five games together and turned into Calvary's top
pairing last year, but Joel Hanley hasn't been able to
(18:39):
be that same guy, and so it was really a
struggle to find a consistent, consistent partner for Mackenzie Leaguer,
and so over the last thirteen fourteen games, they've put
in former second round pick INCO's netstop and He's really
helped to solidify that and that's made a big difference.
(18:59):
And they just have settled into more of a brand
of hockey. The final they had se mic because if
they've settled into a brand of hockey, but they played
consistently all year last year, as you said, keeping things
to the outside, stingy defensively, they don't allow a lot
of quality opportunities, and so they're able to win some
lower scoring games and we've seen that a whole lot
(19:20):
more in the best example of that most recently was
Saturday night where they played kind of a drag him out,
grinded out type of game in Los Angeles and eventually
beat them to one in overtime, which was kind of
exactly how the Flames want their games to go. And
we've seen that happening a little bit more as well.
Speaker 2 (19:38):
I think if one thing's for certain, as again past
Timberg joining us on Cracking this morning about Rasmus Anderson,
is guaranteed a lot of pucks are going to flow
through him game after game. You brought up the ascension
of his game here at this point, he only needs
four more goals to reach his career high, said twice
of eleven. He's got twenty two points already in thirty
(19:59):
four games, and of course the talk of potential trade
conversations or an extension as well. We'll see what happens
as we get closer and closer here to marsh. But
if anything, what's maybe surprised you about Anderson's game at
this point, Pat The.
Speaker 7 (20:12):
Biggest thing that surprised me is how he's been able
to bounce back because he had he had a really
difficult season last year, and the way he's been able
to bounce back with all of what's swirling around him,
because Rasmus Anderson is the number one kind of trade target,
(20:32):
and he's the number one bullet point amongst Flames fans
when they're talking about potential trades, and he knows that.
He's as aware and dialed in on what's being said
about the team as anybody I've ever covered in the sport,
and so he knows what the narrative is. And yet
he's out there and playing the best talking maybe of
(20:56):
his career, and that can't be easy to do. The
way that he is contributing offensively and generating offensively, how
so much as you mentioned is flowing through him and
yet he and Kevin Ball are playing the toughest defensive
minutes on the team as well. He's been dynamite, and
I don't think it's close in terms of the first
(21:16):
thirty four games, who's been their best player and most
consistent player, and that's Rasmus. So that's maybe what surprised
me the most. I didn't know what to expect. You know,
he's never been in this situation before, and there was
going to be a lot of rumor, a lot of
innuendo about what's going to happen, and you know, the
betting odds would suggest he is going to get traded
(21:37):
between now and the early March trade deadline. And yet
he's gone out there been the same old guy, the
same old leader. Personality hasn't changed, demeanor hasn't changed, and
he's gone out there and gotten back to the Rasmus
Anderson that you know has clearly been one of the
best players on this team for the balance of the
last five years. So that to me would be the
(21:59):
most impressed thing and most surprising thing, because I just
didn't know what to expect from them with all of
the potential distraction that was gonna surround them. I give
them a lot of credit.
Speaker 2 (22:09):
Finally, the Flames that played a ton of road games already,
but yet as they stand seven points back of the
cut line like the Kraken. Coming up in their schedule
after this one, there's Vegas two games with Edmonton late
December home against Boston, then New Year's Eve against Philadelphia.
What defines the magnitude of this next stretch of games
(22:30):
coming up here for the Flames?
Speaker 7 (22:31):
Pat Well, it's so funny you asked that, because in
this market, like there's a there's such a debate going on,
and there's such a kind of a two sided conversation
going on about what's best for this team. Is it
best for this team to continue to be a thirty
of thirty first thirty second team and get themselves a
high pick, because there is a very large and extremely
(22:53):
vocal contingent of Flames fans who believe that that is
truly what the organization needs if they're going to return
to being a Stanley Cup contender. And with Kevin McKenna
and Keaton Verhoff and i've our Senberg and Tynan and
Lawrence all hovering around at the top of the twenty
twenty sixth draft, there's a real appetite in this market
(23:14):
to potentially see the Flames finish in a spot like that,
So you know there'd be some would say, well, the
magnitude is that they got to stay in thirty first
thirty second place, fair enough, I understand that. But inside
that locker room and that coaching staff, they want to
win hockey games and they want to get themselves back
into the mix, and so they have played a lot
of road games. Their October was an absolute gauntlet when
(23:36):
it came to opposition road games and scheduled loss teams,
just with how the games were coming at them in
tough spots three and four, five and eight. Just it
was a horrible October and it showed partially in the
in the record where they went two eight and two
in October, then started November with a regulation loss as well.
So I mean, this is an opportunity for them to
(23:58):
work themselves a little bit more back into it, because
after a road game at Edmonton on the twenty third,
they do have a pretty solid contingent here of home games.
It has been a extremely road heavy schedule. They played
amongst the most road games in the NHL so far,
so as they move towards the first half of the
season coming to a close, they do have a chance
(24:18):
to maybe make a little hay on home ice, and
they have been pretty solid on home ice. So they
sit seven backs, they sit, you know, thirty first overall,
and honestly, where they are four games below five hundred
is probably where they should be by the body of
work that they've shown us through thirty four games. But
they do have an opportunity to maybe evolve their season
(24:42):
here in this stretch. We'll see if they can do it.
The problem is, I do think that we are going
to see a couple of trades that are going to
send some pretty important players out the door. Rasmus Anderson,
I think is going to be dealt and you take
him away from this team, and it's going to make
him more on the ice significantly. And you know, if
Blake Coleman gets dealt, the same is true with the
(25:04):
type of season he's having and the type of contributor
he always is. So it's gonna be a fascinating next
I don't know, say fifteen to twenty games around this
team moving towards the Olympic break, Like which direction do
they lean into? I think we got a pretty good idea,
but it's still going to be really interesting.
Speaker 2 (25:23):
Trade freeze kicks in by this weekend then for seven
days after that's it. You'll just kind of feel like
after we get past New Year's the Olympic break will
be sneaking right up on us and bringing down our
next pat appreciate this first match over the season coming up.
Thanks again for joining us.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Man, appreciate it, Mike, see you man all right.
Speaker 2 (25:43):
Big thank you to past Einberg for joining us as
the Crack and we'll face the Flames three times and
this regular season the Krack and caring and all time
record for to one and two at the Saddle Dome.
They'll come back to Calgary next month for one more
matchup on the fifth of Janey. With montour status in doubt,
you can expect a little bit more as far as
(26:04):
offensive flow going right through the likes of Vince Dunn,
Jordan Eberly and Chandler Stevenson. Everly, of course, the first
Crack and ford En player to hit double digits and
goals scoring, He's made his offseason home in Calgary an
extra special layer. The numbers certainly back that up. He
loves facing Calgary with a near point per game production
(26:24):
at a forty two point fifty game clip for his
career head to head Chandler Stevenson's got points in six
consecutive games done. Meanwhile, who logs a ton of ice
time at the back end, is one point off the
Kraken scoring lead with nineteen points so far on the season,
owning twelve points in twenty one games against the Flames
(26:44):
for his career. Lake Coleman, meanwhile, carries goals and back
to back games for Calgary, and as far as the
go two players on the Flames, no one's been more
of a handful than Nosam Kadri with seventeen points in
just fourteen games against the Kraken that leads all Flames
lifetime in the head to head series. Looking forward to
having you face off once again, six pm Pacific from
(27:06):
Scotia Banks Saddle Dome airtime, five point thirty pregame shows
served up by Frostprewed cors Light Choose Chill ever written
now in the booth and Calgary, I'll join you back
in Network Central, and we certainly hope that you can
join us. Big thank you to Paste Einberg for being
with us and for Kraken this morning, I'm Mike Benton.
Speaker 5 (27:24):
Enjoyed the game and have a happy Thursday.
Speaker 1 (27:26):
You're home for the Kraken Sports Radio ninety three point
three kJ r FM
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