Kraken vs. Hurricanes Global Series Finale: Jagger Firkus Debut, Projected Lines, How to Watch (Nov. 14)

The Seattle Kraken seek to bounce back from a sluggish game Thursday. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated Seattle 4-1 in the opening game of the NHL Global Series in Helsinki, Finland.  

Seattle trailed by two goals after the first period. The second goal was a result of a Carolina power play goal. The Hurricanes were awarded a power play after Seattle’s unsuccessful coaches challenge. 

“We had a decision to make, we saw some contact in the blue paint,” head coach Lane Lambert told reporters postgame Thursday. The challenge was a gamble: losing it handed a top-15 Carolina power play an opportunity. “We have to be more sure of that,” Lambert added on Thursday.  

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Kraken Outshot in Helsinki

The Kraken will need to generate more chances Saturday for a chance to even the series. The Canes shot more goals on target in the first period than the Kraken shot all game (13). 

“Clearly not good enough and we had opportunities to shoot the puck,” Lambert said. “There’s a level of speed at which you have to play against them and it doesn’t always have to be a perfect shot. We’ve got to get pucks to the net and then generate rebounds and things like that,” he added. 

According to the Instant Analysis from Alison Lukan the Kraken Carolina had 12 odd-man rushes, Seattle had five. Seattle did manage to shoot 10 shots from the slot to Carolina’s nine. 

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Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 26 saves in the loss, his 399th game with Seattle. 

“I thought Grubauer was outstanding. He was busy, that’s for sure,” Lambert said of his German netminder. 

“When you’re in your zone as much as we were, and when they’re throwing pucks at the net as much as they were, your goaltender gets taxed for sure.” 

Catton Line Key to Kraken Offense

Game score data shows all six Kraken defensemen at the bottom of the impact card Thursday against the Hurricanes. Seattle goal scorer Freddy Gaudreau had the best game score for the Kraken and also had a team-high three shots from the slot, per Lukan. 

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Against a team like Carolina, Seattle will have to take more shots and generate more chances. Center Berkly Catton and his linemate and Finnish Olympic bronze medalist Kaapo Kakko lead the team in shot attempts. Look to the Catton line, including winger Mackie Samoskevich to produce. 

“We’ve talked about (Kakko) with Catton quite a bit. We need some offense from that line,” Lambert said pregame on Saturday. 

Last game Matty Beniers and his linemates Jordan Eberle and Bobby McMann generated 50% of the 5-on-5 chances in over 12 minutes of ice time, per Lukan’s data analysis. 

Lane Lambert confirmed Jagger Firkus will slot into the lineup for his NHL debut.

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Firkus set to make NHL Debut in Finland

“It’s a whirlwind. Obviously, you don’t picture playing your first game in Finland,” Firkus told reporters Saturday. “It’s a unique experience you’ll back on and be grateful for,” he added. Both his parents are expected to be in the building for his debut. The Kraken brought up Firkus from the Coachella Valley Firebirds and placed Curtis Douglass on the injury report.

Firkus is most likely to slot in on the fourth line with Jani Neuman and Ben Meyers. If there are no other changes, that could mean Ryan Winterton will be a healthy scratch. Lambert did not confirm who would be out of the lineup. 

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Can the Kraken find another level against Carolina on Saturday? Tune in for the final installment of the Kraken’s first-ever Global Series later today. 

The puck drops at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. local time  

How To Watch

TV: NHL Network, KING, KONG
Streaming: Prime Video
Radio: KJR 950 AM

See the full Kraken schedule and TV listings.

Seattle Kraken Game Notes

• Freddy Gaudreau scored his team-leading eighth goal Thursday against the Hurricanes and has registered 10 points (seven goals/three assists) over his last 13 contests. 

• His goal is the first goal in franchise history to be scored outside North America.

• Mackie Samoskevich has six points (one goal/five assists) over his last five games.

• Berkly Catton recorded a career-high 10 faceoff wins against the Hurricanes on Thursday, going 10-for-14 (71.4%) in the faceoff circle.

• Philipp Grubauer is one game shy of 200 career games as a Seattle Kraken. He is on track to become the first goaltender and 14th player in franchise history to hit the milestone.

Projected Seattle Kraken Lines

NOTE: Lines are subject to change. Follow Erica L. Ayala (@elindsay08) on social media for the latest updates ahead of puck drop.

Bobby McMann – Matty Beniers – Jordan Eberle

Kaapo Kakko – Berkly Catton – Mackie Samoskevich

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Chandler Stephenson – Freddy Gaudreau – Matthew Wood

Jani Nyman – Ben Meyers – Jagger Firkus

Defense

Vince Dunn – Adam Larsson

Ryker Evans – Brandon Montour

Josh Mahura – Ville Ottavainen

Goaltenders

Joey Daccord – Philipp Grubauer

Special Teams

Seattle Kraken power play: 21.8% (16th)
Seattle Kraken penalty kill: 65.2% (30th)

Carolina Hurricanes power play: 22.7% (14th)
Carolina Hurricanes penalty kill: 85.5% (8th)

Projected Carolina Hurricanes Lines

For more game notes on the Carolina Hurricanes, follow Rachel Barkley’s coverage on Sportsnaut. 

William Carrier – Sebastian Aho – Andrei Svechnikov

Nikolaj Ehlers – Logan Stankoven – Jackson Blake

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Taylor Hall – Mark Jankowski – Seth Jarvis

Eric Robinson – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Jordan Martinook

Defense

Jaccob Slavin – Jalen Chatfield

K’Andre Miller – Sean Walker

Shayne Gostisbehere – Juuso Valimaki

Goaltenders

Pyotr Kochetkov – Brandon Bussi

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