The Seattle Kraken needed a win and they got it, 2-1 in overtime in San Jose.
It wasn’t easy. The “S’ on the chest of the Kraken players stands for Seattle. The “S” on San Jose goalie James Reimer’s chest apparently stands for Superman, at least when he’s playing the Kraken.
Reimer, who shut out the Kraken 4-0 in San Jose back on February 20th, must activate his super powers when he sees the Seattle insignia. He robbed Jaden Schwartz with a right pad save during an early Seattle power play and turned aside the first 26 shots-on-goal he saw. His head-to-head career save percentage against the Kraken at that point was up around 98%.
Seattle finally solved him with a breakaway goal in a crazy third period.
Philipp Grubauer started in net for the Kraken.
Jaycob Megna replaced Carson Soucy on the blueline for the second straight Seattle game. John Hayden saw some ice time and added physicality in the line-up up front.
— William Eklund opened the scoring for the Sharks at 1:18 of the 3rd period on a penalty shot after he was slashed on a breakaway by Ryan Donato on a breakaway. He went five-hole on Grubauer to give San Jose a 1-0 lead.
Kraken Goal Scorers:
3nd Period
1-1 Tied – Even Strength – Oliver Bjorkstrand (15) from Yanni Gourde and Adam Larsson, 7:03
Gourde sprung Bjorkstrand on a breakaway with a 130-foot pass from next to his own net. Bjorkstrand went high glove.
Overtime
2-1 Kraken – Even Strength (3-on-3) – Vince Dunn (13) from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Jared McCann, 1:58
Dunn skated in and ripped a shot five hole on Reimer from the mid-slot. He extended his point streak to 11 games.
— Shots on goal were even in the game, 32-32. Power plays: Seattle 0-for-3, San Jose 0-for-2.
— Seattle kept pace in the Western Conference and remain 7 points ahead of the closest non-playoff team, the Calgary Flames, in the standings.
Kraken 3 Stars:
1) Oliver Bjorkstrand – A man possessed. His work ethic earned him a goal and later an assist on the game winner.
2) Philipp Grubauer – turned aside 31 shots on goal. Came up with some big saves early and late in particular.
3) Vince Dunn – Game winning goal and a personal best point streak. Plus-2 on the night. A blocked shot, a hit, and a takeaway.
