Jamie Oleksiak and Eeli Tolvanen scored 49 seconds apart in the third period to turn a deficit into a victory, as the Seattle Kraken rallied past the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Joey Daccord was stellar in net, making 31 saves and assisting on Chandler Stephenson’s short-handed goal. Kaapo Kakko sealed the win with an empty-net goal, giving Seattle its second victory in seven games.
Bryan Rust notched his 17th goal of the season for Pittsburgh, while Philip Tomasino added his fifth. However, the Penguins faltered in regulation for the first time this season after leading through two periods, undone by costly defensive lapses.
Oleksiak initiated the comeback 8:04 into the third, streaking down the slot and firing a shot past Tristan Jarry to tie the game at 2-2. Moments later, Tolvanen capitalized on Shane Wright’s crisp centering pass to give the Kraken the lead.
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin returned to the lineup after missing four games with an upper-body injury, contributing an assist in his comeback.
Takeaways
Kraken: Coach Dan Bylsma, who famously led Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup in 2009, saw his team display resilience despite being outplayed for stretches. The late surge demonstrated Seattle’s ability to capitalize on key moments.
Penguins: Pittsburgh’s struggles during a critical five-game homestand continued, finishing with a disappointing 1-3-1 record. Defensive lapses in the third period proved costly, and Jarry’s inconsistent play remains a concern.
Key Moment
Oleksiak’s goal during a line change was pivotal. Coming off the bench, he found open ice down the middle and converted for his third goal of the season, sparking the Kraken’s rally.
Key Stat
Jarry allowed a goal on the second shot he faced, a troubling trend contributing to Pittsburgh’s inconsistent form. His early struggles have been a key factor in the Penguins’ precarious playoff position.
Up Next
- Kraken: Wrap up their five-game road trip in Winnipeg on Thursday.
- Penguins: Begin a seven-game, 12-day road trip in Buffalo on Friday.
