The second-year Seattle Kraken have given a good account of themselves in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, the team suffered a big injury blow with Jared McCann injured and set to miss Game 5. Seattle Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol revealed the news after the 3-2 overtime win over the Colorado Avalanche. Hakstol added that the Kraken’s leading scorer could be out for longer.
SEA coach Dave Hakstol says Jared McCann will miss Game 5 and possibly longer. He disagrees with penalty being reduced to a minor. Very unhappy.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) April 25, 2023
Jared McCann Injured
McCann was injured after a hit from Colorado defenceman Cale Makar in the first period of Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round series. Makar was originally assessed a five-minute penalty, but that was reduced to a two-minute minor. Seattle would score on the ensuing power play to go up 2-0. However, Colorado would tie the game before Seattle would go onto win the game thanks to Jordan Eberle.
Hakstol may not have been happy with the initial call being changed, but Makar will now have a hearing for the hit with the NHL Department of Player Safety. This could lead to a suspension, which would be a big loss for the Avalanche.
McCann has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Kraken over his eight-year NHL career. However, he’s found a home with Seattle and netted a career-high 40 goals this season. The Stratford, Ontario native has 133 goals and 142 assists for 275 points in 506 career games.
Impact of Jared McCann Being Injured
It would be a big blow to lose the Kraken’s top-scorer. However, players like Eberle and others have stepped up. Seattle has given the defending Stanley Cup champions all they can handle in this series.
Makar being suspended would also be a big loss for Colorado because he’s an all-world defenceman. This series is a lot closer than people anticipated and losing the Norris Trophy winner would hurt Colorado.
Main photo by: Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports
