The Kraken won’t be enjoying the long plane ride home as they finish up their three-game, season opening road trip with an 0-2-and-1 record and one point in the standings. Goals continue to be hard to come by as Seattle loses in St. Louis 2-1 in a shoot-out.
Kraken 1st Period
Seattle had the forecheck working early, getting their first five shots on Blues goalie Jordan Binnington in short order. The problem was, they weren’t getting many 2nd-chance opportunities. Whether it’s the simple bounce of the puck, the lack of traffic in front, or missing the target with initial shots, the Kraken weren’t getting pucks to the net even when they had sustained zone time.
When the Kraken did finally find the back of the net with 7:35 remaining, the goal didn’t count. Former Blue Vince Dunn ripped a slapper from the point that found its way in, but the goal was nullified upon review. Jared McCann’s stick got tangled up with Binnington’s mask before the puck hit the net and goalie interference was ruled.
The Seattle penalty kill stayed perfect this season, standing at 9-for-9 following two failed Blues’ power plays.
The Kraken were fast and dominant in the first period, but failed to light the lamp. After 20-minutes of hockey in St. Louis they had gone seven periods this season with a grand total of one goal.
2nd Period
That would change early in the 2nd period. In the closing moments of a carry-over power play that began late in the 1st period, former Blues winger Jaden Schwartz tipped home an Oliver Bjorkstrand slapper to give the Kraken their first lead of the season. Dunn picked up the 2nd assist, his 100th point as a Seattle Kraken.
It also marked Seattle’s first power play goal of the season in seven attempts.
Seven minutes later the Blues would tie the game on a 3-on-2 rush and one could easily blame the Kraken forwards for this one. After Binnington stopped Matty Beniers’s shot attempt on a 2-on-1 rush, Beniers collected his own rebound and made a semi-blind drop pass towards the point. Instead of finding a teammate, it started St. Louis’s breakout.
On the 3-on-2 that developed, with Robert Thomas skating in on the right wing, Jared McCann was puck watching and left Jordan Kyrou all alone in the slot. Thomas found Kyrou with a pass and he buried it. Beniers trailed the play. A tough series of events “tracking” back and 1-1 hockey game.
Seattle would kill off another penalty late in the period to remain perfect on the PK, 10-for-10 on the season.
3rd Period
Needless to say, it was a pivotal period of hockey for Seattle considering they entered the game with an 0-and-2 record on the season.
Four minutes in, Dunn took an interference penalty that just as easily could have been called a trip. Either way, the Kraken were treading dangerously as they faced their eleventh shorthanded situation of the early season.
This time, the Blues hardly got a sniff.
The 2nd half of the period opened up, meaning we saw end-to-end rushes both ways. Joey Daccord made three huge saves in the closing minutes, including one on a slot slapper from Blues defenseman Justin Faulk with three minutes remaining.
The Kraken nearly avoided overtime with a couple of golden scoring chances in the final minute, with Binnington stopping McCann on the left doorstep.
To no avail; overtime here we come.
Shots on goal in favor of the Kraken; 31-26. Power Plays: Seattle 1-for-1, St. Louis 0-for-4
Overtime:
A lot of puck possession for the Kraken, but few opportunities until the OT opened up in the final two minutes. Binnington robbed Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson on a late chance.
Shoot-Out:
Blues: Brayden Schenn – NO – Pad save
Kraken: Beniers – NO – Great pad save on a deke.
Blues: Kyrou – NO – Glove save.
Kraken: Bjorkstrand – NO – Deke pad save.
Blues: Thomas – YES – Deke, backhand shelf.
Kraken: Jordan Eberle – NO – Wrist shot save.
Kraken 3 Stars:
1) Joey Daccord – A great first start to the NHL season for last season’s “mayor” of Coachella Valley.
2) Jaden Schwartz – The former Blues winger was all over the offensive zone. A goal, two shots, two hits. Good chance in overtime.
3) Adam Larsson – Five hits, three shots on goal, and a team leading, and whopping 29:52 in ice time.
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