Kraken close out homestand with barn burner win over Sharks

Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News

Seattle, WA – To end a six-game homestand that saw the team display playoff-potential, the Seattle Kraken tallied a franchise record eight goals in a win over the San Jose Sharks. The highest scoring contest in team history, the Kraken started the game off with a rocky first period where two San Jose goals off penalties hindered Seattle’s ability to start a flow. The Kraken weathered the storm, sounded the goal horn eight times, and will now head back out onto the road as a better team because of their ability to win games in different ways.

Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News

Following three straight overtime games that ended all ended in the same score, the Kraken returned to their high-octane offensive form. After failing to score more than three goals since November 8th, the first game of this homestand, the Kraken were able to open the flood gates in the second period. Seven different skaters were able to beat Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen, including four times in the final frame to truly send the Sharks back out to sea. Despite doubling San Jose in giveaways and nearly matching Seattle in every general statistic, the Kraken were elite tonight at finishing their opportunities.

That finishing came from a myriad of different skaters for Seattle, including defensemen Jamie Oleksiak scoring while coming off an injury and Vince Dunn tallying a goal in a 5 +/- night. Alternate captain Jaden Schwartz lit the lamp twice, extending the Kraken lead while using a Sharks player as a screen for the first and then tapping home an empty netter for the second. The boys from Boston, Ryan Donato and Matty Beniers both scored off great lead passes, putting them in easy position to capitalize. Offseason additions Andre Burakovsky and

Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News

Oliver Bjorkstrand both found the back of the net, as Bjorkstrand scored for the first time since the season opener. Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol discussed the atmosphere in a way like tonight’s.

“It was fun for the fans but stunk for the coaches, haha. Not really, but like I said, you have to find different ways to win. The atmosphere in this building is awesome. That’s a party happening for 18,000 people, it’s fun to be able to win in different ways. A lot of people look at it and say it’s exciting hockey, I prefer to win 3-2, 4-1, something like that,” Hakstol said.

On the defensive end of things, the Kraken certainly had some highs and lows, but obviously the five goals mean a solid number of lows. Sharks forward Timo Meier scored a hat trick, with all his goals coming on plays where he was left wide open. San Jose’s other two goals came off tip ins where Kraken defenders got caught napping, and Seattle is lucky that didn’t happen a few more times. Most will just enjoy the eight goals, but the Kraken defensive unit will need to tighten up some of the issues that appeared in this contest, especially as they head on the road to face more divisional opponents. Seattle forward Andre Burakovsky discussed what the team needs to do as they head on the road

Photo by Megan Connelly / fi360 News

“I think that we really need to shut down some areas and be better in them. We shouldn’t give up as many goals as we did, but overall, two points is two points… We can’t give up a two-goal lead, and that happened twice today. That shouldn’t happen, but I think it’s important that we stick throughout just like we did today,” Burakovsky remarked.

Following an impressive 4-1-1 homestand, the Kraken will now head on a three-game road trip. Seattle will face three divisional opponents, the first being the Las Vegas Golden Knights, a team that the Kraken

have never beaten before. The two newest teams in the NHL and top two teams in the Pacific Division will face off on Friday, November 25th with a puck drop at 5PM PST.