Kraken (4-4-1) at Canadiens (4-4-1) | 16:00

One: Let’s get physical
There was no doubting the message in Monday’s Kraken practice at the Bell Center in Montreal. Kraken coach Dan Bylsma had his players do drills with a lot of one-on-one, physical battles for them.

Bylsma was asked afterward if the drills had anything to do with the way the team played in parts of Saturday night’s loss to Carolina, and if he expects to see what they practiced be implemented more visibly in Tuesday night’s game. A grinning, taciturn Bylsma nodded his head vigorously at the question, then offered few words: “Yes, a transfer from the game last Saturday,” he said. “And yes, I’d like to see more of that (physical play).”

As if to hammer that point home, the Kraken announced an hour later that forward John Hayden had been promoted to the NHL roster – along with defenseman Cale Fleury – from AHL Coachella Valley. Hayden is no stranger to physical play, not afraid to drop his gloves to battle opponents or to charge head-on into corners or the net front to battle for pucks.

The Kraken had salary cap space to add both players as defenseman Vince Dunn is now on long-term injured reserve. Dunn’s salary will not count against the cap as long as he remains out, which is expected to be several weeks.

Bylsma did not mince words on how he expects the Kraken to improve in these areas.

“The competition and the execution under pressure in difficult places,” he said. “That’s the game. You win the game if you’re able to execute in those areas, tight spots, wall plays, defensive zone coverage, getting out of the defensive zone. And offensively, in the offensive zone, that’s where the game be won.”