If the Seattle Kraken do make the playoffs, they can thank the now-expected energy and production of their 4th line. (Spoiler alert: tonight’s victory combined with San Jose’s loss puts Seattle back into the 2nd wild card spot in the Western Conference.)
In a 6-2 victory Sunday at Climate Pledge Arena over the two-time defending Cup champion Florida Panthers, the bottom six forwards provided Seattle a game-long spark. 4th liners Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton scored 1st period goals, while Berkly Catton had another. Kaapo Kakko wowed the crowd with fancy stickhandling, resulting in a goal and an assist.
Once again installed as Seattle’s go-to goalie, Joey Daccord made 23 saves; a far cry from the 10 goals allowed in his prior four periods of work. The Kraken penalty kill, while still second-worst statistically, went 4-for-4 against Florida including a 5-on-3, and has allowed only one goal while shorthanded this month.
Oh, and welcome, Bobby McMann. With visa issues finally resolved, the Toronto Maple Leafs refugee scores his third goal in two games with his new team. The 3rd period power play goal showed off his wire of a shot. Later, he assisted on Jamie Oleksiak’s second goal in two games.
1st Period
Puck luck is smiling on Seattle early. Florida has hit the post twice in the first five minutes.
Sometimes you hit the the puck, sometimes the puck hits you. When you’re positioned in front, like Ben Meyers was, that can be a very productive turn of events. Ryan Winterton pokes the puck to Freddy Gaudreau, whose shot bounces off Meyers and past Panthers goalie Daniil Tarasov for his 7th and a 1-0 Kraken lead at 5:28.
Ferocious pressure by the Kraken. Tarasov foils grade-A chances from Jordan Eberle and Winterton, then Ryker Evans sets up Meyers for a tip that goes wide. Next, Kakko weaves through the Florida defense. He’s stopped, but Catton deposits the loose change for a 2-0 Kraken advantage at 11:52.
Wow, the Kraken look unstoppa… well, it takes just 15 seconds for the champs to stop the bleeding. Vinnie Hinostroza halves the Cats’ deficit.
The Kraken must have channeled pregame incantations of the 1950s Montreal Canadiens, because the Flying Frenchmen never did it better on the rush than the Kraken on their 3rd goal. Meyers takes a back pass from Brandon Montour and hits the post, but Winterton gets inside position on Donovan Sebrango to restore the two-goal lead at 18:24.
Eberle’s open backhand goes just wide before the horn, or it would have been a three-goal Kraken lead. Seattle outshoots Florida, 13-10 in a spirited 1st period for the home team.
2nd Period
Now we’ll see whether Seattle has learned its lesson from the Nashville loss, taking a two-goal lead after one in that game too, but not scoring again. “Don’t overthink it. Stay sharp, stay focused,” was the mantra from Gaudreau in an intermission interview.
Indications are, lessons learned. Maybe the Kraken ARE unstoppable tonight. At least Kakko appeared to be. Taking a pass behind the net from Vince Dunn, the Finnish Olympian carries the puck out front. Kakko goes from one side of the crease to the other faster than Tarasov can, leaving Kaapo room between the goalie and the near post. 4-1 Kraken at 3:20.
Later indications are, uh oh. Chandler Stephenson and the other Finnish Olympian, Eeli Tolvanen, take minors 64 seconds apart, affording the Cats 56 seconds of 5-on-3. But sometimes, it’s your night. The 31st-ranked Seattle PK, behind four Daccord saves, disposes of both penalties.
3rd Period
Florida could field a damn good team with the big-name players out of the lineup either injured or getting the night off. They include Seth Jones, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Brad Marchand, and Aleksander Barkov, with #1 goalie Sergei Bobrovsky sitting second chair.
Through two periods, the visitors have nearly doubled the Kraken in shot attempts. Which, tonight, means little to nothing.
The Panthers have been known to color outside the lines. Showing a lack of discipline in a game they’re convinced they can’t win anyway, Florida takes three minors in the first 11 minutes of the period. The second one gives McMann a chance to show his wares to the CPA crowd for the first time.
Not sure what the worst penalty call of the season is, but ex-Panther Montour thinks he’s been part of a contender. Anton Lundell initiates contact with Montour’s BACK, then falls over. The defender is incredulous on his way to the box, while his coach, Lane Lambert, utters words to the officials we can’t repeat. Daccord makes his finest save while on the PK, stoning Anton Lundell’s tip try.
Not called: Carter Verhaeghe’s questionable, and unquestionably unnecessary, open-ice hit on an unsuspecting Tolvanen. Enjoyed: a sixth Kraken goal, McMann setting up the Big Rig.
Up Next
It’s more Sunshine State fun, with the Tampa Bay Lightning coming to town on Tuesday.