After a rough start to the season, the Seattle Kraken finally found their stride, securing their first win with a 7-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Vince Dunn and Oliver Bjorkstrand each contributed a goal and two assists, while Yanni Gourde, Jaden Schwartz, and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare scored during a three-goal first period for the Kraken. This offensive explosion mirrored the balanced attack that led to their 100-point season last year.
Seattle struggled in their first four games, managing just three goals and earning only one point in the standings. However, the Kraken’s seven goals against the Hurricanes came from seven different players, and 13 players picked up at least a point.
“It’s our depth. It’s tough to play against that,” Seattle’s Jared McCann said. “We have to use that to our advantage.”
McCann and Tye Kartye scored 21 seconds apart midway through the third period after Carolina had closed the gap to 4-3. Bjorkstrand then sealed the win with an empty-netter with 3:09 remaining.
Gourde’s first goal of the season came at 7:16, redirecting a shot from Andre Burakovsky. Schwartz added his second of the season just six seconds into a power play at 12:18, and Bellemare scored short-handed with 38 seconds left in the first period off a rebound from Dunn’s shot.
Dunn scored on a power play 2:38 into the second period, prompting Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour to pull starting goalie Antti Raanta, who allowed four goals on 18 shots.
“I think it’s evident our success comes from everyone doing their part and playing as a five-man unit out there,” Dunn said.
Pyotr Kochetkov, who was recalled Wednesday, made 14 saves after taking over for Raanta. The Hurricanes were without starting goalie Frederik Andersen, who left Tuesday’s win over San Jose after taking a shot to the mask.
The Hurricanes attempted a third-period rally, scoring four goals in their previous game against San Jose. Jesperi Kotkaniemi scored at 5:54 to pull the Hurricanes to 4-3, and Seth Jarvis added his second goal of the period on a power play at 15:54, making it 6-4. However, the comeback fell short.
“We always think there’s a chance no matter what. We think we have a team that can score in bunches. Like I said before, it’s a matter of keeping it out of our net right now,” Jarvis said.
Seattle goalie Joey Daccord was solid through two periods, making 29 saves and allowing only one goal. Daccord finished the game with 33 saves.
“The real key is he made good saves at the right time,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “He shows the confidence to overcome a goal going in the net. He moves on to the next one.”
Game Notes:
- Schwartz left the game during the second period after blocking a shot. He returned at the start of the third but played only one shift.
- Carolina’s Sebastian Aho missed his second consecutive game with an upper-body injury. Aho was on the ice for a morning skate but wasn’t ready to return.
- Seattle recalled forward Devin Shore from Coachella Valley of the AHL on Thursday. Shore was scratched.
UP NEXT:
- Hurricanes: At Colorado on Saturday night.
- Kraken: Host the New York Rangers on Saturday night.
