All Things Matty Beniers, Day 7: First Game Against Connor McDavid

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

"Here we see hockey player Matty Beniers displaying casual elegance in his fashionable "S" sweater, black breezers, multi-colored leggings and black skates. Always well-coordinated, Matty is ready to jump into a fun night of skating with the boys, and also well-attired for an impromptu goal-mouth scramble."

Ebs Said There'd Be Nights Like This

Beniers was asked on the 32 Thoughts podcast about his "Welcome to the NHL" moment. It came against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers.

"McDavid had maybe two goals and an assist in the first five minutes. I was out there for all three of them, and I was just sitting there (on the bench). I was, 'Ooh, this is going to be a long night.'"

That's when Kraken veterans Jordan Eberle and Jared McCann gave the rookie a pep talk.

"It was tough game and definitely wasn't going our way. Those guys (Eberle and McCann) were helping throughout the game. You know, 'Just keep going, keep doing the right things.'

"After the game, they're (telling me), 'You're going to have games like that where it doesn't go your way, the puck's not bouncing your way, you're just not feeling it.'

"Those are the games where you kind of have to simplify. Just try to do one good thing right, try to help the team in one way. Getting in the forecheck, simple things."