Daccord took the crease for the first two periods, making an impressive 15 out of 16 saves, boasting a stellar .938 save percentage. He made some jaw-dropping saves along the way, solidifying his case. Across the three preseason games he's played, Daccord's save percentage now stands at an impressive .972.
Driedger, in his part, had his moment in the third period, stopping every shot that came his way. He showcased his skills and made two crucial saves to protect the narrow lead late in the game. However, these were his only real challenges of the night. Driedger's preseason save percentage stands at a respectable .923 across two games.
Both goalies have made strong cases for the backup role, but there's only room for one. In my view, Daccord has showcased a bit more during this limited opportunity. Another factor to consider is the potential fate on waivers. Daccord, with his $1.2 million annual contract, could be claimed by another NHL team if placed on waivers with the intent of assigning him elsewhere. On the other hand, Driedger's $3.5 million cap hit might make him more likely to clear waivers, as most teams may find it challenging to fit that contract into their roster at this time.
While Seattle will need a third goalie at some point in the season, if Driedger is assigned elsewhere, we may still see him back in action for the Kraken down the road.
