Seattle Kraken 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2
Seattle entered this game following Friday’s NHL Trade Deadline with their roster intact and the knowledge that they dominated the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 3-1 win at Climate Pledge Arena on January 28th. That performance was more impressive than the score indicated.
This time, the two met in the Ohio state capital city as the third game on the Kraken’s four-game road trip. Seattle had already beaten the St. Louis Blues 5-3 and Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in overtime on this journey.
Starting netminders: Philipp Grubauer for the Seattle Kraken; Elvis Merzlikins for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
The 1st period was scoreless but fast paced and entertaining. The Blue Jackets took the lead on a power play goal midway through the 2nd period from Patrik Laine. The lead wouldn’t last.
Kraken Goal Scorers:
2nd Period
1-1 Tie – Power Play – Jared McCann (30) from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Vince Dunn, 13:20
Off a cross-ice feed, McCann unleashed a twisted wrister from the left wing circle, going short-side on Merzlikins.
2-1 Kraken – Even Strength – Jordan Eberle (14) from Jared McCann and Alexander Wennberg, 14:08
Eberle picked up a rebound off a McCann shot while cruising through the slot and deked to the backhand.
3rd Period
3-2 Kraken – Power Play – Alexander Wennberg (11) from Eeli Tolvanen and Vince Dunn, 7:12
Wennberg took a pass down low, turned in front and jammed the puck past Merzlikins.
4-2 Kraken – Even Strength (empty-netter) Brandon Tanev (12) Unassisted, 19:12
Skated it down alone on a breakaway and sealed the win.
— Seattle outshot Columbus 35-23. Powers plays: Seattle 2-for-4, Columbus 1-for-4.
— Oliver Bjorkstrand left the game in the 3rd period with a lower body injury and did not return.
— Seattle is 3-and-0 on the roadie and play the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in Denver on Sunday.
Kraken 3 Stars:
1) Alexander Wennberg – Goal and an assist, including the game winner against the team that drafted him.
2) Jared McCann – Goal, assist, four shots on goal.
3) Philipp Grubauer – Doesn’t jump out on the stat sheet but made a number of huge saves, especially early.
