Vince Dunn had a goal and two assists, Tomas Tatar netted his second goal since joining Seattle, and the Kraken held off a late lacrosse-style goal by Trevor Zegras to secure a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night.
Oliver Bjorkstrand also scored, and Joey Daccord made 32 saves for the Kraken, who have earned points in six straight games, including three consecutive road games. Tatar added an assist, marking his second multi-point performance in four games with the team, and Matty Beniers contributed two assists.
“We’ve played very consistently over the last few weeks,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “I think we’ve had just one game in our last eight where we didn’t earn points. Our guys are playing hard, regardless of the lineup. Whoever’s available is stepping up. We’ve put together a good string of games, and three days off will be valuable rest time.”
The Kraken maintained their lead even after Zegras scored his third career lacrosse-style goal with 5:59 left in the third period, returning from a 20-game injury absence. Zegras skated behind the net, picked up the puck with his stick blade, and flung it over Daccord’s shoulder from the extended goal line.
“When I went behind the net, it’s something I obviously feel comfortable with doing,” Zegras said. “It’s not a crazy play for me. When the goalie goes post to post, there’s usually a little room upstairs. Lucky enough, it went in.”
Frank Vatrano scored his 15th goal, and Lukas Dostal made 19 saves for the Ducks, who have lost 15 of their last 18 games. Anaheim showed improvement from what coach Greg Cronin called their worst game of the season in Thursday’s shutout loss to Calgary but fell to 0-2-0 to start an eight-game homestand.
Dunn became the first player to record 100 assists with the Kraken when he set up Bjorkstrand in the first period for his 11th goal of the season. Dunn added his own goal three minutes later, converting a pass from Beniers into an open net.
“I just try to take every opportunity given to me in this organization,” Dunn said. “It’s a nice milestone for me.”
The Ducks’ goal drought exceeded 124 minutes before Vatrano ended it with a power-play goal early in the second period, a hard shot from the top of the slot.
After starting the season with 14 goals in 23 games, Vatrano hadn’t scored in December and hadn’t recorded a point in his previous eight games, though he remained the Ducks’ top scorer.
“I thought we had a chance to win that game,” Vatrano said. “A couple of flurries in front of the net didn’t go in for us, but I think we liked the way we played.”
Seattle got another boost from Tatar, the veteran forward acquired from Colorado for a fifth-round pick last week. Tatar scored with 11:35 left in the third period, beating Dostal with a backhand for his second goal in Seattle’s last three games.
In just four games with the Kraken, Tatar has already surpassed his goal total in 27 games with the Avalanche this season.
“It feels great to have that opportunity when hockey feels right again,” Tatar said. “I’m very grateful for how the guys welcomed me in Seattle. It wasn’t easy. Everything happened fast, but it looks like me, Matty, and Ebs (Jordan Eberle) are building some chemistry, and I’m having a lot of fun.”
Zegras was off to a slow offensive start before his injury but took over the top-line center role from rookie Leo Carlsson, who sprained a ligament in his right knee Thursday against Calgary. The No. 2 overall pick had eight goals and seven assists in his first 23 NHL games and will be out for four to six weeks.
Anaheim also played without veteran defenseman Radko Gudas, who was out with a lower-body injury.
Upcoming Games
- Kraken: At Calgary on Wednesday.
- Ducks: Host Vegas on Wednesday.
