The Seattle Kraken are in position to take a stranglehold on the Dallas Stars tonight in their Second Round series, with a win giving them a 3-1 series lead. In their quest to do so, they may have regular-season goal-scoring leader Jared McCann back in the fold. Head coach Dave Hakstol would not confirm McCann’s Game 4 availability but told reporters he’d “probably” take warmups.
McCann has been out of the lineup since Game 4 of the First Round, taking a late hit from Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar which resulted in a one-game suspension. His return to the lineup could provide a potent boost to a team that lit the lamp seven times in Game 3, giving them yet another offensive weapon for Stars netminder Jake Oettinger to worry about.
The 26-year-old McCann did have just one assist in three-and-a-half playoff games against Colorado but led the Kraken in scoring with 40 goals and 70 points during the regular season. While rookie Tye Kartye has done well in McCann’s place, NHL experience tends to win out as the games get harder.
The Kraken will, however, be without forward Daniel Sprong tonight, as reported earlier.