When is a hat trick not a hat trick? Read on to find out.
The Seattle Kraken almost exclusively have success when they follow coach Lane Lambert’s formula. That consists of suffocating defense, patience, and opportunistic offense. Tuesday at Climate Pledge Arena, the Kraken executed the formula exquisitely in a 5-1 victory over the slumping Washington Capitals.
Whereas the young guns provided the offense in Sunday’s win over the Devils, it was the vets front and center on the scoresheet against the Capitals. Jared McCann (11 NHL seasons) would give Seattle all the offense they’d need with a pair of 2nd period goals, his 13th and 14th, plus two assists.
A McCann shot off the post was converted by 16-year veteran Jordan Eberle into his team-leading 19th. Hats flew onto the ice in the 3rd period when McCann appeared to score his third of the night on a breakaway. Read the 3rd period summary below to learn why the flipped lids were premature.
Ryker Evans and Matty Beniers contributed insurance tallies after Alex Ovechkin scored on a 3rd period power play. Philipp Grubauer, continuing a remarkable bounce-back season, made 19 saves against the team with which he won a Stanley Cup in 2018. Lambert, an assistant on that Cup-winning Caps team, also had to be elated that his squad limited the visitors to 11 shots through two periods.
1st Period
The new NHL-NHLPA collective bargaining agreement permits players more latitude in what they wear to the rink. Grubauer chose a sharp-looking jacket from Patta, a sports apparel company started by two friends from Suriname. “Pata” is the Surinamese word for shoe.
Jaden Schwartz comes closest of anyone in the first 14 minutes, striking iron in close on Shane Wright’s feed from the end boards. Defenseman Ryan Lindgren puts Ethan Frank back on his wallet in front of the Caps bench.
The best chances for (the other) Washington: early in the period, Jakob Chychrun slid a shot past Grubauer but wide of the far post. With Grubauer helplessly out of position, defenseman Vince Dunn blocked Frank’s shot toward the open net. Later, the goalie gloved Ryan Leonard’s on-target snipe.
Aliaksei Protas blows a tire, sending the Kraken down ice on an odd-man rush. Logan Thompson stops both Chandler Stephenson’s initial shot and Eeli Tolvanen’s rebound.
If this was boxing, we’d say the teams spent a cautious first period “feeling each other out.” Which is a polite way of saying, “not a lot happened.” The Kraken held a lopsided edge in possession and shots, 13-4.
2nd Period
Tonight is Brandon Montour bobblehead giveaway night. He’s shown as a DJ, because, as Sports Illustrated explained, “Known for playing a mix of country, house music, classic rock and even Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair” following the Kraken’s most recent 4-2 win over the New Jersey Devils, Montour emphasized the importance of playing music that appeals to all of his teammates.”
1:30 of a 1st period Frank high-sticking penalty extends into the start of the 2nd. Jared McCann blasts a PP one-timer from the top of the right circle past Thompson at 1:15, his 13th.
Seattle goes right back to the power play at 2:33 when Declan Chisholm sends the puck over the glass. Dunn blasts a drive directly off the mask of Thompson, knocking the lid off his head. Thompson is slow to rise, and is given extra time to regain his bearings.
Washington’s backup goalie is Ryan Lindgren’s older brother, Charlie. Thompson remains between the pipes.
DC’s best shift includes rare extended puck possession. Grubauer denies Frank, who’s been a real pest, at the top of the crease. Ryker Evans prevents further damage in front by knocking Justin Sourdif off his feet.
Seattle kills a Chandler Stephenson minor, then McCann doubles their lead at 10:09.
Tolvanen comes close to making the lead 3-0, hitting the post. Washington’s Jakob Chychrun is similarly foiled by the post. Jacob Melanson is foiled on a rush up ice by a stray stick to the face – a stick belonging to a player on the Caps bench. Ryker Evans with another big hit, this time on Leonard.
Then the Caps have a shift that might hint this isn’t their night. A crunching Chandler Stephenson hit into the end boards dislodges Martin Fehervary’s skate blade; he has to hop all the way to his bench. While effectively shorthanded, Leonard makes a shot block that sends him to his knees in pain.
Then the Caps have another painful shift, this one increasing the Seattle lead. McCann comes inches from a natural hat trick, ringing the near left post. He’ll happily settle for an assist, as Eberle pots his team-leading 19th on the rebound at 17:54.
3rd Period
The Caps storm Grubauer’s goal. Alex Ovechkin, Connnor McMichael, and Trevor van Riemsdyk crowd the crease, but can’t push the puck in. With so many Capitals caught up ice, McCann is all alone from the red line in. He beats Thompson cleanly at 1:27 to complete what for all the world appeared to be a hat trick.
The delirious crowd at CPA thought so, flinging hats onto the ice. The KHN TV broadcast thought so, showing a graphic about Kraken hat tricks. In the words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friend.” A linesperson noticed a Beniers high-stick on Sourdif as Seattle was exiting the zone. Linespeople must inform the referees at the next stoppage, which is why play continued until McCann’s non-goal.
After video review, the goal was erased and Beniers was assessed a double minor. On the front half, fans got to see what may have been Alex Ovechkin’s last goal in Seattle. His 919th career score, a layup on the power play, ruined Grubauer’s shutout at 2:30.
What’s a Kraken game these days without 4th line magic. Evans banks the puck off Washington’s Tom Wilson with Melanson driving down the slot at 13:12.
Matty Beniers made it 5-1 on his 13th at 16:27. Ryan Winterton scored 27 seconds after – only, no he didn’t. Washington’s coach’s challenge for goalie interference was upheld. The Kraken have TWO 3rd period goals disallowed, and still won in a rout.
Up Next
The Kraken host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. That will not only conclude the current six-game homestand, it will also close out the home portion of Seattle’s pre-Olympic schedule. The Kraken don’t return to the friendly confines of CPA until Saturday, Feb. 28 against the Vancouver Canucks.