The Kraken have the Bruins number at TD Garden. For the 2nd consecutive season Seattle skated into Boston and came away with a huge win. This time 4-1 with Joey Daccord in net; last season it was 3-0 in front of Martin Jones.
The confidence boost for the Kraken as they head home from the four game road trip (2-and-2 record) could prove enormous. They have three days off before hosting the pesky Detroit Red Wings at Climate Pledge Arena.
1st Period
Jeremy Swayman started in net for the Bruins.
The Kraken play their best hockey when they’re physically engaged and for the fourth consecutive period they were just that. The gritty play worked both ways, as did the goal scoring.
NHL All-Star David Pastrnak hopped on board first with his 34th goal of the season, cashing in on his own rebound at 4:54. The Bruins created sustained pressure and it took two chances from “Pasta” to solve Daccord, who initially made a great pad save.
Seattle’s struggling power play would answer at 9:11. Jordan Eberle also tallied on a second chance. He cut to the net from the right wing and twice tried backhanders. Swayman lost track of the rebound and “Ebs” shovelled it into the vacant net.
The Bruins ended up doubling up the Kraken in terms of 1st period shots on goal, 16-8.
2nd Period
Daccord was the star late in the first period and his excellent performance continued into the 2nd.
Up ice, the Kraken were proficient at stealing pucks, dominating the “takeaway” category. It led to some possession time, although Grade-A chances were hard to come by.
As wide open as the game seemed in terms of flow, the teams were conscientious about keeping things to the outside.
Trouble arose when Seattle D-man Adam Larsson went off for hooking at 10:47, but the Kraken penalty kill was up to the task.
Back at even strength, Pastrnak hit the post with four minutes remaining.
Seattle took advantage of some momentum off the successful PK. Eeli Tolvanen gave the Kraken their first lead with his 14th goal of the season. “Tolvy” took advantage of some tough luck for Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo who fell down awkwardly on his own at the Seattle blueline and lost the puck. The Kraken scored off the resulting 3-on-1 with Oliver Bjorkstrand ultimately creating a screen.
Matty Beniers had his second assist of the night.
3rd Period
Just 1:42 into the period, Bruins forward Charlie Coyle ripped a shot off the post, the third time Boston had rang iron in the game.
Beniers, playing his best game of the season in front of his parents in his hometown, gave the Kraken a 3-1 lead at 8:36. Alex Wennberg blocked a shot and fed the puck up ice to Beniers who skated in and went top shelf with a wrister from the left wing circle. It was the type of shot we saw the young man convert on a regular basis last season.
Daccord held his ground, making big saves on a routine basis.
Down two goals, Boston pulled their goalie with five minutes remaining, but the effort was nullified when Pastrnak went off for hooking.
The Kraken didn’t scored on the PP, but they did hang on.
Jared McCann added an empty netter.
Shots on goal ended up 38-26 in favor of the Bruins. Power plays: Seattle 1-for-2, Boston 0-for-2.
Kraken 3 Stars:
1) Matty Beniers – A goal and two assists for the 2nd year player who has struggled offensively this year.
2) Joey Daccord – Kept the team in the game for stretches and very easily could have been 1st star. 37 saves.
3) Alex Wennberg – Three shots-on-goal, three hits, and a key blocked shot and assist.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Prevail Over The Islanders 2-1 In A Shoot-Out
— Kraken Prospect Firkus Flourishing Atop Major Juniors
