With their first playoff berth on the horizon, the Seattle Kraken know they must capitalize on favorable schedule opportunities. On Tuesday night, the Kraken secured their fifth consecutive win by defeating the Anaheim Ducks 5-2, even though they weren’t at their best.
“I liked the intelligence of our team,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “We recognized that we might not be at our best regarding energy. As we got through the second half of the game, we managed it well, especially in the third period.”
Jared McCann continued his hot streak with his 31st goal of the season, his fifth in as many games. Daniel Sprong scored for the first time since Jan. 17, as the Kraken posted their fourth win streak of at least five games this season. In their inaugural season last year, Seattle’s longest win streak was just three games.
McCann’s 31st goal gave Seattle a 2-0 lead in the first period. Sprong’s 16th goal late in the second period extended Seattle’s lead to 3-1 after Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras scored a spectacular between-the-legs goal at the start of the period.
Jamie Oleksiak notched his career-best ninth goal of the season for Seattle, Eeli Tolvanen scored on a power play midway through the third period with an assist from McCann, and Jaden Schwartz added an empty-net goal with 17 seconds left.
Matty Beniers had two assists, extending his lead as the top-scoring rookie in the league, as the Kraken inched closer to Vegas for the top spot in the Pacific Division.
“We’re gonna have to play well every single night,” McCann said. “We’re going to be playing some divisional games soon, which will matter much more.”
Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 20 saves, including key stops on Max Jones early in the first period, and won his fourth straight decision. However, he couldn’t stop Zegras’s stunning goal, which will likely be added to his career highlight reel.
Zegras slipped behind Seattle’s defense in the opening moments of the second period, pulled the puck between his legs, and flipped it over Grubauer’s shoulder for his 21st goal of the season. Max Comtois scored with 1:27 left, but Anaheim saw its streak of points in five straight games end.
“I thought we had more ‘A’ chances than them. We couldn’t bury them. Their goaltender played very well,” Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins said. “I think the thing that hurt us tonight was our power play. We didn’t get many good looks there, especially when we needed it.”
Anaheim goalie John Gibson made 26 saves.
DUNN DONE
Seattle’s Vince Dunn received an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty late in the third period after yelling at an official from the bench and slamming his stick against the glass. Dunn had taken a big hit near the head from Comtois that went uncalled, leaving his nose bloodied. He was later pulled from the penalty box and sent to the locker room after medical spotters stopped the game.
“I don’t have a reason for concern right now, but I have not talked to our medical people,” Hakstol said.
Game Notes
- Seattle F Ryan Donato was scratched as Sprong rejoined the lineup after sitting out four of the previous six games. Donato had played 23 straight games and was last scratched on Jan. 10 at Buffalo.
- F Brock McGinn debuted with the Ducks after being claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh last week.
- Seattle D Adam Larsson had his 21st season assist on McCann’s first-period goal. Larsson now has a career-high 26 points.
UP NEXT
- Ducks: At Vancouver on Wednesday.
- Kraken: Host Ottawa on Thursday.
