SEATTLE (AP) — Oliver Björkstrand wasn’t round as a result of difficulties the Seattle Kraken suffered throughout their disappointing inaugural season, however he acknowledged the importance of his 6-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night time.
Led by Björkstrand’s first multiplayer recreation of the season, the Kraken picked up their first win in franchise historical past over their rivals within the Pacific Northwest and topped their wins and factors whole from final season – all earlier than the All-Star break.
“It is a totally different staff and it is undoubtedly figured issues out this season,” mentioned Björkstrand. “We’re on our option to some good issues. Consistency is a big factor and I believe all through the season for essentially the most half, we have been pretty constant.”
Seattle achieved its twenty-eighth victory and 61st level in its forty-seventh recreation. Final season, the Kraken growth had 27 wins and solely 60 factors.
This got here in convincing vogue towards the Canucks—taking part in their second recreation below head coach Rick Tocchet—after Seattle had misplaced their first six video games since becoming a member of the NHL.
“It is a unbelievable win for our membership. We’re undoubtedly indebted to them for the final two years,” mentioned defender Vince Dunne.
Bjorkstrand kicked off Seattle’s huge night time along with his eighth of the season at 7:57 of the primary interval. His second purpose got here at 16:15 and gave Kraken a 5-0 lead. This was Bjorkstrand’s first multiplayer recreation since January 8, 2022, when he scored two targets for Columbus towards New Jersey.
Jared McCann added a team-high 23 of the season on the ability play. Alex Weinberg additionally scored powerfully, and Eli Tolvanen’s one-time purpose was his sixth purpose in 13 video games since Seattle snapped him off waivers.
Ryan Donato added his twelfth purpose at first of the third interval, which is his fourth purpose up to now three matches, after taking part in eight matches with out a purpose.
Dunn had two assists and scored a career-high 36 factors. Jordan Eberle, Adam Larson, Yanni Gord, and McCann every had two assists.
Martin Jones made 19 saves for Seattle.
That was 60 minutes. “We performed 60 minutes,” mentioned coach Dave Huxtol. “We made it troublesome from the beginning.”
Conor Garland scored his ninth purpose of the season within the dying seconds of the second interval, however it was a depressing night time for the Canucks. Spencer Martin made 29 saves.
Tucci’s second recreation in cost after taking up as coach Bruce Boudreau was very totally different from his first the night time earlier than when Vancouver beat Chicago.
There was even a brief chant within the third interval of “Bruce, there he’s,” a reference to Boudreau that appeared to come back from a mixture of Kraken and Canucks followers.
“That is a very good staff on the market,” mentioned Touchett. “I do not know if it was among the males’s nervousness, or the vibes of final week, however that was dangerous tonight. That was dangerous.”
The Canucks had been sloppy and conceded two detached penalties that led to Seattle’s targets.
Seattle wanted simply eight seconds after Andriy Kuzmenko was penalized for urgent Weinberg to make it 2-0 lower than 10 minutes into the primary interval. The Kraken prolonged the rating to 3-0 on a McCann purpose after Tyler Myers was known as for interference by Matty Benners simply off the play.
“You hate to name me tender in your staff, however it was tender tonight,” mentioned Touchett. We didn’t take part within the wall battles. … We knew this was a very good staff. We did not play as anticipated. Previous habits are again (returned). I want I had like 10 practices as a result of tonight it exhibits we’ve numerous work to do.”
Penners was noticeably shaken after the strike and performed later within the interval, however didn’t play within the third. Benners was not out there, Haxtol mentioned.
Notes: Seattle F. Jaden Schwartz (undisclosed) missed his sixth straight recreation, whereas De Justin Schultz (undisclosed) missed his third straight recreation. Haxtol mentioned Schultz now suffers from his harm week after week after it was beforehand listed as each day. … developed Vancouver F.C. William Lockwood is on injured reserve and F. Philip Di Giuseppe is known as up from Abbotsford.
subsequent one
Canucks: Host Columbus on Friday.
Kraken: Host Calgary on Friday.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl And https://twitter.com/AP_Sports