Kraken 6, Sabres 4
The Kraken are now 7-and-1 all-time against the Buffalo Sabres following Monday afternoon’s 6-4 victory at Climate Pledge Arena.
It wasn’t a “free-for-all”, but it did have stretches where it felt “pond hockey-ish”. At times, the Sabres come across as a team somewhat disinterested. Sure they want to win, but the sense of urgency lacks, there is no desperation. They’re the worst team in the Eastern Conference and share the third lowest point total in the NHL.
The vibe feels like, “we lost, oh well, let’s go on to the next one.”
It’s a well embedded losing culture. The Sabres haven’t made the playoffs since 2011 and haven’t won a playoff round since 2007.
Another way to look at it: The Kraken took care of business on Monday.
Despite a limited number of power plays, there was no shortage of scoring chances between the two clubs.
In the end, Seattle spread the wealth and received contributions from many. John Hayden (1st of the season), Chandler Stephenson (8), Matty Beniers (10), Jamie Oleksiak (4), Adam Larsson (3), and Jared McCann (14), who potted an empty-netter, all tallied goals.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the first, the Sabres quickly gave up that advantage and played come-from-behind hockey the rest of the way. Tage Thompson actually tied the game for the visitors 3-3 at the 15:38 mark of the 2nd period, only to see the Kraken take the lead again 56-seconds later.
Joey Daccord made 25 saves in net to pick up the win.
The beat goes on. After trailing 2-0, the Kraken beat the Sabres in Buffalo 6-2 ten days ago.
Seattle has won two games in a row and three of their last four and hosts Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals on Thursday night.
