Some shuffling in the Seattle Kraken net after their No. 1 goaltender has gone down with an injury.
On Sunday, the Kraken announced they are placing goaltender Philipp Grubauer on injured reserve, and have recalled Chris Driedger from their American Hockey League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Grubauer was injured late in the second period of the Kraken’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday night after attempting to make a save on a shot by Tampa’s Anthony Cirelli. Grubauer labored off the ice at the end of the period, and did not return.
Joey Daccord came in the third period, gave up two goals, including the game-winner in overtime to Nikita Kucherov, as the Lightning stole a 4-3 win.
Grubauer has had injury troubles ever since he left the Washington Capitals. The majority of his injuries have been lower body, including to his groin. He missed a couple of games earlier this season, and was out for almost a month early on in the 2022-23 campaign.
Driedger has not played in the NHL since the Kraken’s inaugural season, missing most of last season recovering from a torn ACL. In 15 games in the AHL this year, the former Florida Panther has a 9-5-1 record, with a 2.20 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and two shutouts.
In 65 appearances in the NHL, Driedger is 58-30-23 with a 2.45 GAA, .917 SV% and five shutouts.
The Kraken also lost defenseman Justin Schultz during the game with an upper-body injury. His status is unknown, but Seattle also called up d-man Jaycob Megna from the Firebirds.
Megna has been up and down in the NHL since making his debut during the 2016-17 season with the Anaheim Ducks. The 31-year-old has played 141 games in his career, including six this season with the Kraken. Though he has not registered a point with Seattle, Megna has four goals and 21 assists in his NHL career.
The Kraken (8-13-7) is scheduled to host the Minnesota Wild on Sunday night. They are sixth in the Pacific Division with 23 points, five back of a Wild Card spot.
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