Dull would best describe Thursday night’s 6-1 Kraken victory over the visiting Edmonton Oilers, despite the fact that local patrons had the opportunity to celebrate a half dozen goals.
There were two dozen face-offs in the 1st period as the two teams struggled to find any flow. It was fitting that near the end of the period, fans had to wait through video review and the wave-off of a Jeff Skinner goal that would have given the Oilers a 1-0 lead. The puck had been played by a high stick ahead of Skinner’s successful effort.
The 2nd period began scoreless before the Kraken reeled off five goals in a row. Jaden Schwartz scored for Seattle twice in the first 3:24 of the period, followed later by goals from Jani Nyman, Matty Beniers, and Andre Burakovsky during another 1:51 stretch.
The flurry of tallies came against a worn out Oilers club, missing injured stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and also depleted of energy after travel issues forced them to arrive at their Seattle hotel at 4 am on Thursday morning. Edmonton played Wednesday night at home and lost to the Dallas Stars 4-3.
The Oilers remain in 3rd place in the Pacific Division, safely in a playoff position. The non-playoff-bound Seattle club snapped a three-game skid.
Joey Daccord made 36 saves in net for the victors.
