Cale Makar scored two goals and added an assist, while Andre Burakovsky netted two power-play goals as the Colorado Avalanche defeated the Seattle Kraken 7-3 Friday night.
Darcy Kuemper made 25 saves, and Nazem Kadri extended his points streak to eight games with two assists for Colorado. The Avalanche have won four straight games, outscoring opponents 24-7 during this streak, and improved to 6-1-1 in their last eight games after a 1-3 start to the season.
“I think it took a while to find some chemistry,” said defenseman Erik Johnson. “We had some COVID absences, some injuries, and a lot of new faces that needed time to adjust to our lineup, including a new goalie. It took some time, but we’re finding our rhythm now.”
Jordan Eberle, Brandon Tanev, and Colin Blackwell scored for the Kraken, who have now lost six straight games and seven of their last eight. Chris Driedger made his second start in goal for Seattle but struggled early, allowing four goals on Colorado’s first 13 shots, including Burakovsky’s two power-play goals.
“I think we just needed to simplify things, and tonight you saw it was one or two passes and then straight to the net,” Makar said. “We need to focus on that attack mentality and creating chaos.”
The strategy paid off. Kraken coach Dave Hakstol pulled Driedger at 5:33 of the second period in favor of Philipp Grubauer, who didn’t fare much better, conceding three more goals as the Avalanche built a 7-0 lead. The seven goals tied Seattle’s season-high for goals allowed.
“There’s only one way out of it, and that’s to keep grinding, stick together, and find a way to win,” Hakstol said. “We didn’t do that tonight, which is disappointing for everyone. But we have a choice in how we approach the next day.”
Hakstol had announced earlier in the day that Driedger would start over Grubauer, who was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last season with Colorado. However, Grubauer has struggled in his first month with Seattle, posting a 3.18 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage. The change in the net didn’t spark the Kraken.
Burakovsky opened the scoring at 4:04 of the first period on a power play after Ryan Donato was called for hooking. Moments later, two Kraken players collided during a Seattle power play, allowing Tyson Jost to send the loose puck ahead to Valeri Nichushkin, who scored on a breakaway at 6:39 for Colorado’s NHL-leading fourth shorthanded goal of the season.
Makar added another goal at 3:01 of the second period, assisted by Kadri, and Burakovsky made it 4-0 with his second power-play goal at 5:33.
The Avalanche continued their onslaught, with Makar scoring his second goal with about eight minutes left in the second period, followed by Johnson and Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s goals.
“I didn’t score on Grubie in four years of practice,” Johnson joked. “Somehow, I scored on him today.”
BEDNAR EXTENSION: Before the game, the Avalanche announced they had signed coach Jared Bednar to a two-year extension that runs through the 2023-24 season.
“I’m excited to continue the work we’ve started with this group,” Bednar said. “I greatly believe in this team and am thankful for the opportunity. We have unfinished business, and I’m happy to be part of it for a little while longer to try and get the job done.”
Game Notes
Johnson’s goal was his 62nd, tying him with Rob Blake for fourth-most career goals by an Avalanche defenseman. Eberle has now recorded a point in seven consecutive games. With seven goals, Tanev has already matched his total from the 2020-21 season. Kuemper is 5-1 in his last six games.
UP NEXT
- Avalanche: Host Ottawa on Monday.
- Kraken: Host Washington on Sunday.
