All Things Matty Beniers, Day 4: Kraken Center On Dry Spells

Editor's Note: The Seattle Kraken don't play again until Feb. 10 in Philadelphia. To help Kraken fans through this difficult period of withdrawal, we will present a daily collection of photos, quotes, and insights into Seattle's own #10, 2023 Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers.

Matty Beniers Photo Of The Day

Well, that's one way to make sure no opposition defenders can sneak up from behind on Beniers.

Staying Positive When Goals Don't Come

Matty Beniers didn't score his first goal of the 2023-24 season until the Seattle Kraken's 14th game. He celebrated his Nov. 9 tally against the Colorado Avalanche with a symbolic "throwing a monkey off his back" gesture.

Things haven't gotten easier for last year's Calder Trophy winner. He's scored just once in his last dozen games, with six goals, 19 points overall in 45 games.

Asked if he was far off from the level at which he played last season, Beniers told NHL.com , “No. I don’t think so. I think I can be better, but also at the same, I think I’m playing well, and I think I’m getting chances, creating chances. Sometimes things just don’t go in for you or you just don’t get the bounces.

“I think it’s just staying positive, being team-first, trying to help your team do the best they can, trying to help them win. Everything else will take care of itself. The more you focus on the individual stuff, the way less it happens.”