Senators put coal in Kraken's stocking

 

Playing their last home game before Christmas, Seattle Kraken fans were in the holiday spirit. The twin scoreboards even featured a video of Kraken players attempting to sing holiday songs.

However, Ebenezer Scrooge showed up at Climate Pledge Arena last night in the form of Ottawa Senator goalkeeper Linus Ulmark. The Swedish netminder turned aside 30 shots as the Senators posted a 3-0 victory. On Nov. 2, the Senators other goalkeeper Anton Forsborg blanked the Kraken 2-0. Bah, humbug.

``I think we’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror,” said Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour said. ``I don’t know how many times we’ve been shutout(five times in fact), but we’ve played less than 35 games, and with the skill that we’ve got on this team.”

“Obviously, you’re going to have some times when things don’t go your way, but it’s too easy for these goalies,” said Montour. ``Again, we had some looks. But the shots don’t matter if the goalie sees them all the time.”

To be fair, Ulmark is one of the premier goalies in the sport. He’s 7-0-1 in his last eight games, with a .957 goals-against average. Ulmark’s now given up only five goals in his last six games, a major reason why the Senators are over .500 (16-13-2) . On the season. He’s also adept of covering the puck and not allowing rebounds.

But you couldn’t blame the Kraken (15-16-2) for thinking they should have lit the lamp a few times when they recorded five shots in the game’s first four minutes and 15 in the first period. Ryan Winterton, looking for his first NHL goal, had two scoring chances in the frame, including a shot directly in front.

Late in the first period, Kraken goalkeeper Joey Daccord, who began his career in the Senators’ organization, almost picked up an assist when he sent a home run pass ahead to Tye Kartye, but Ulmark made the kick save.

Seattle had to feel good about its performance but then Shane Pinto scored a deflating goal, a shot that went through Daccord’s legs at 8:02 of the second period.

``I think the goal going in kind of just added to the frustration of not having looks, not getting shots in, and Ullmark coming up big repeatedly in the first period,” said Kraken coach Dan Bylsma said. “The goal going in kind of exacerbated that.”

Noah Gregor added another goal four minutes later and the Sens took a 2-0 lead to the intermission. In the third period, Tim Stutzle added a backbreaker, when his high shot went off the glove of Daccord into the net.

The Kraken upped the pressure in the final five minutes of the game. That’s when Daccord was pulled for an extra attacker and the Kraken had the final seven shots of the game, including shots by Montour, Vince Dunn and Jaden Schwartz in the final 30 seconds.

``We didn’t get in (Ulmark’s eyes),’’ said Kraken forward Jared McCann ``We’re just kind of a one-and-done team right now. We’re just trying to score off the rush or make a back door play. But when things aren’t going well, you’ve got to get in front of the net and bang one home.’’

The Kraken begin a brief three-game road trip on Thursday when they travel to Chicago to face the Blackhawks.

Scoring Summary

First Period

No scoring.

Second Period

O- Shane Pinto (Michael Amadeo) 8:02. O- Noah Gregor (Ridley Grieg, Zack Ostrapchuk) 12:45.

Third Period

O- Tim Stutzle (Adam Gaudette, Claude Giroux) 4:08.

Shots on Goal- Ottawa 26 (4 with 3), Seattle 30 (Jared McCann, Jaden Schwartz, Brandon Montour 5).

Hits- Ottawa 18 (Zack Ostrapchuk 3). Seattle (Eeli Tolvanen 7).

Faceoffs- Ottawa 54.2%. Seattle 45.8%.

Blocked Shots- Ottawa 16 (Nick Cousins, Tyler Klevin 4). Seattle (Jared McCann, Chandler Stephenson 3)

Referees- Chris Rooney, Cody Beach. Linesmen- Dan Kelly, Kiel Murchison.

Three Stars- 1. Linus Ulmark 2. Shane Pinto 3. Noah Gregor.