Karson Kuhlman netted the decisive goal in the third period, securing a 3-2 victory for the Seattle Kraken against the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night.
Jaden Schwartz and Jared McCann both scored within 22 seconds of each other in the second period, and each added an assist for Seattle. Philipp Grubauer made 17 saves before being replaced by Martin Jones midway through the third period. Jones clinched the win with a single save.
Kraken coach Dave Hakstol provided no update on Grubauer’s condition post-game.
“That was an all-around good team effort,” Schwartz commented. “We checked them hard, limited their time and space, and had significant offensive zone time. We looked quicker and a bit cleaner exiting our end.”
Bowen Byram recorded a goal and an assist, and Evan Rodrigues also scored for Colorado, which lost for the second consecutive game.
“They’re a solid team, but I think our performance was more about our shortcomings,” Byram said. “We need to find our rhythm, focus on our mistakes, learn from them, and move forward.”
Kuhlman broke the tie by maneuvering around Kurtis McDermid and beating Pavel Francouz with 7:54 left in the third period.
“Schwartzy made a great play, creating space for me to skate into,” Kuhlman explained. “McDermid was on me, and I typically aim for the far post, but I saw an opening and took it.”
Francouz concluded the game with 35 saves.
The game was scoreless after the first period, but the teams exchanged three goals within the first six minutes of the second. Schwartz scored a power-play goal at 1:38 with a one-timer from the slot, and McCann’s second goal of the season made it 2-0 just 22 seconds later.
The Avalanche responded when Rodrigues scored his first goal in a Colorado jersey off a pass from Valeri Nichushkin at 5:55. Nichushkin contributed two assists.
“It felt good to get my first goal, but it’s not the result we wanted,” Rodrigues remarked.
Byram scored a short-handed goal at 6:58 of the third period to level the game.
Returning Champion
Kraken left wing Andre Burakovsky was honored on the scoreboard in his first game back in Denver since signing with Seattle over the summer. Burakovsky played three seasons with the Avalanche and was instrumental in their Stanley Cup win, including scoring the overtime goal in Game 1 of the final against Tampa Bay. He received cheers from the crowd as a highlight reel of his time with the team played.
Game Notes
Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews was scratched due to an undisclosed injury he sustained during Wednesday’s overtime loss to Winnipeg. Coach Jared Bednar mentioned Toews would likely miss Saturday’s game against Vegas but noted the injury was “short-term.” Additionally, Seattle’s defenseman Michal Kempny cleared unconditional waivers.
Up Next:
- Kraken: Visit the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.
- Avalanche: Travel to play the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.
