Kaapo Kakko scores twice to help Kraken defeat Sabres 6-2.

Buffalo, NY - Saturday night in Buffalo, HC Dan Bylsma and Brandon Montour returned to face their former teams as the Sabres hosted the Kraken for the first time this season. It was the first of two meetings between the two teams and the lone matchup in Buffalo. The Kraken will host the Sabres on Monday, Jan. 20, at Climate Pledge Arena.

Joey Daccord, back from a brief injury absence, started in net for Seattle, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen took the crease for the Sabres.

The first period was a tough one for the Kraken. The Sabres struck early with two goals—Sam Lafferty opening the scoring, followed by a power-play tally from Jake Quinn. Tensions grew resulting in a scuffled between Oliver Bjorkstrand and Sabres' Dennis Gilbert. Outshot 15-7, the Kraken skated off the ice at the end of the period trailing 2-0, frustration mounting.

But in the second, Seattle came roaring back. Ryker Evans and Andre Burakovsky scored in quick succession, tying the game and igniting the Kraken’s energy heading into the final frame.

In the third, the Kraken seized control. They erupted for three goals in just 2:18—Bjorkstrand first, then Kaapo Kakko with two in a row. Brandon Tanev sealed it with an empty-netter, finishing the night with a dominant 6-2 victory.

Saturday’s win ended Seattle’s losing streak and marked the team’s league-leading sixth multi-goal comeback and eleventh overall this season.

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