Improved offense and stellar goal tending help Kraken win over Predators.
It was Hispanic Heritage Night at Bridgestone Arena as Eeli Tolvanen returned to the Music City to face his former team, the Nashville Predators. Vince Dunn also returned to the lineup Tuesday night as the Kraken defeated the Predators 7-3.
Riker Evans got things started for the Kraken at 16:23 scoring his second career NHL goal with an unassisted wrist shot past Nashville's starting goalie Juuse Saros.
Nashville appeared unorganized, and Seattle capitalized on it. Jaden Swartz and Chandler Stephenson led a 3-on-1 rush, passing to Oliver Bjorkstrand, who scored his first goal of the season for Seattle, making it 2-0.
There were a few scuffles around the net, but Nashville's communication improved, leading to their first point from an unassisted backhanded shot by Michael McCarron. The Predators ramped up the pressure on Joey Daccord, tying the game with a wrist shot from Tommy Novak that slipped in glove side.
With less than a minute left in the period, Brandon Tanev took a hit while passing the puck to Brandon Montour, who attempted a shot. Tanev capitalized on the rebound, scoring to close the gap. The first period ended with Seattle holding a 3-2 lead.
The second period kicked off with the Kraken successfully killing a Nashville power play, stemming from Jared McCann's hooking penalty on Ryan O'Reilly just before the first period ended. Both teams ramped up their shots on goal, but Jeremy Lauzon struggled with passes and hits. Nashville then killed another power play for Seattle, this time after Luke Evangelista was penalized for high-sticking Yanni Gourde.
At 2:53 left in the period, Jonathan Marchessault, recently traded from Vegas, and Tye Kartye exchanged punches behind Saros' net, resulting in roughing and boarding penalties for Marchessault and Kartye, respectively. Just 14 seconds into the 4-on-4 play, Brady Shay scored his first goal as a Predator, tying the game.
Former Tampa Bay Lightning player Steven Stamkos and Jaden Schwartz got tangled up, leading to a hooking penalty on Schwartz. Meanwhile, Joey Daccord showcased impressive physicality with multiple saves as the Predators relentlessly pressed for goals.
During the intermission, Assistant Coach Jessica Campbell spoke to Piper Shaw, stating that the team is "looking to get connected and improve the flow." When asked about Ryker Evans, she added, "He's starting to establish his identity and is playing fast with the puck."
Seattle opens up the third period with Jaden Schwartz scoring his first goal of the season with a backhand shot assisted by Oliver Bjorkstrand.
Kraken fans in attendance had just finished celebrating Schwartz's goal ( 1 minute and 22 seconds exactly) when Jordan Eberle scores unassisted on the glove side on Saros giving Seattle the 5-3 lead.
Seattle deepens the lead 6-3 with an unassisted goal from Jared McCann.
A terrifying collision between Shane Wright and Joey Daccord led to a stoppage of play as Seattle regained its composure. Saros was pulled from the Nashville net at 5:20, only to return at 4:26, but he was pulled again with less than three minutes remaining as Seattle surged ahead with three unanswered goals. The Kraken made it four unanswered when Larson launched a slapshot down the ice into the empty net. The Predators struggled to gain momentum, and the game ended with a decisive 7-3 victory for the Kraken.
The Kraken return home with a 2-1 record from their first road trip. The team showed significant progression, with a more confident roster, increased speed, and improved execution of plays. Let's hope the chemistry holds as the Kraken face the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena.
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