Kraken Rally Past Golden Knights In Shootout As Catton Delivers Late

Angelo Apuli
Angelo Apuli
6 Min Read
Apr 9, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle (7) and forward Bobby McMann (74), left, battle Vegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel (9) for puck during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

The Seattle Kraken snapped a six-game losing streak with a 4-3 shootout win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night. Berkly Catton scored in regulation and added the deciding goal in the shootout, lifting Seattle in a game that required a late comeback.

Seattle trailed by two goals early in the third period but responded with a composed push. The Kraken tied the game and controlled key moments down the stretch before finishing the result in the shootout.

Early Control From Vegas

Vegas set the tone in the opening period. Mark Stone opened the scoring with just over ten minutes remaining in the first. He found space and finished a clean look to give the Golden Knights a 1-0 lead.

Stone struck again early in the second period. He converted on the power play just 55 seconds after the restart, extending the lead to 2-0. His second goal reflected Vegas’ efficient use of its chances and strong puck movement on the man advantage.

Seattle struggled to generate sustained offense during that stretch. The Kraken spent long shifts in their own zone and found few clean entries into the offensive end.

Kraken Break Through On Power Play

Seattle found a way back late in the second period. Jared McCann scored on the power play, ending a prolonged drought for the unit. The goal was Seattle’s first with the man advantage since March 21 and halted an 0-for-17 stretch.

McCann’s goal carried added significance. It marked his fifth straight season with at least 20 goals, all recorded with Seattle. The timing of the goal gave the Kraken momentum heading into the final period.

Vegas responded quickly in the third. Brett Howden scored just over a minute into the period, restoring a two-goal cushion at 3-1. The play came off the rush and caught Seattle’s defense out of position.

Third-Period Comeback

Seattle answered with urgency. Berkly Catton cut the deficit early in the third period, finishing a chance that shifted momentum back toward the Kraken. His goal brought renewed energy to the bench and increased pressure on Vegas.

Bobby McMann tied the game later in the period with his 28th goal of the season. He found space in the slot and finished with control, bringing the score to 3-3. The equalizer capped a determined push from Seattle after trailing for much of the night.

The Kraken tightened their defense after tying the score. They limited Vegas’ chances and forced the game into overtime.

Daccord Holds Firm

Joey Daccord played a key role in the comeback. He stopped 31 shots and made several important saves during Vegas’ strong stretches. His performance kept Seattle within reach before the offense responded.

Seattle adjusted its structure in the third period. The team reduced turnovers and improved puck management, allowing it to sustain pressure and create more consistent chances.

Catton Seals Shootout

Neither team scored in overtime, sending the game to a shootout. Berkly Catton delivered the decisive moment, converting his attempt to secure the win for Seattle.

His performance capped a strong individual night. Catton influenced the outcome both during regulation and in the final phase of the game.

Changes Around The Team

Seattle entered the game amid organizational change. The team and the president of hockey operations, Ron Francis, parted ways earlier in the week. CEO Tod Leiweke addressed the decision before the game, as the franchise continues to evaluate its direction.

The Kraken also adjusted their roster ahead of the matchup. They recalled goaltender Nikke Kokko on an emergency basis, while Matt Murray remained away from the team due to a family matter.

Momentum Shift For Both Teams

The result halted Seattle’s slide and offered a positive step after a difficult stretch. The Kraken had managed only one win in their previous 11 games before this result.

Vegas saw its four-game winning streak come to an end. The Golden Knights had shown improved form under head coach John Tortorella but could not close out this game after building a multi-goal lead.

Next Games

Vegas will travel to Colorado for its next game, looking to return to form after the loss. Seattle will remain at home to face Calgary as it aims to build on this result.

The Kraken’s comeback highlighted resilience and timely execution. For Vegas, the loss underscored the need to manage leads more effectively as the season moves forward.