The First Two Periods
The subplot overtook the main event at the Montreal Canadiens-Seattle Kraken game. Or at least it was the only thing for the Climate Pledge Arena fans to cheer about. That would be Shane Wright returning from his American Hockey League assignment and scoring his first career NHL goal against the team that decided not to take him this summer with the 1st-overall draft pick.
Otherwise, not so good.
Self-inflicted wounds: A soft goal, a horrible D-zone turnover leading to another, a silly delay-of-game penalty, untimely pinches. They all added up to trouble.
The first goal of the game allowed by Martin Jones appeared to deflect off Andre Burakovsky and waffle past the goalie at high speed. The consensus seemed to be he should have had it.
The Burakovsky pass that led directly to the Canadiens 2-1 goal in the 2nd period was one we used to refer to as “delivering the pizza”. He gave the puck to the Habs in the D-zone with a cross-ice pass you’d see in a pee wee game. The Habs took the 2-on-1 down low and made no mistake.
Vince Dunn’s puck-over-glass delay-of-game penalty in the 2nd period didn’t lead to a Montreal power play goal, but it was a 5-on-5 momentum killer, put the Kraken on the penalty kill, and took another two minutes off the clock with the team trailing 3-1.
The untimely D-man pinches happen occasionally and often result in odd-man rushes for the opponent. They didn’t factor in the scoring, although an odd line change during a 4-on-4 sequence led to the Habs going up 4-1.
The Third Period
When Jared McCann scored for the Kraken with less than one second remaining on the clock in the 2nd period to cut the Montreal lead to 4-2, thoughts turned to Monday night when the Habs led the Vancouver Canucks by the same score after two periods, only to lose 7-6 in overtime.
Would there be similar craziness or home team magic?
NO
Symbolic of the night, with the team scrambling to get back in it, Jamie Oleksiak flipped a puck over the glass for delay-of-game at 15:08 of the third period that essentially ended any hopes.
— Kraken D-man Will Borgen blocked a shot, possibly with his hand, and rushed to the dressing room with 3 minutes remaining in the game.
Kraken Goal Scorers
1st Period
1-1 – Even Strength – Shane Wright (1) – from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde, 15:30
Wright ripped home a one-timer from point blank range in the low slot.
2nd Period
4-2 – Montreal lead – Even Strength – Jared McCann (12) from Andre Burakovsky, 19:59
A redirection in the slot went five-hole on Habs goalie Jake Allen.
Kraken 3 Stars:
1) Shane Wright – First NHL goal, could have had three in the first period.
2) Jared McCann – Goal. Involved.
3) Yanni Gourde – Good work on the penalty kill. Assist on Wright’s goal.
