Markstrom gives Kraken a `Devil' of a time

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The Seattle Kraken were unable to post a winning home stand last night at Climate Pledge Arena thanks in large part to the play of New Jersey Devil netminder Jacob Markstrom, as the Devils posted a 3-2 victory. The Kraken finish the homestand at 1-2-1.

Markstrom, who was last seen repeatedly slamming his stick against the boards after allowing the game winning goal to the San Jose Sharks in the closing seconds of a Devils loss Saturday night, made two game saving stops in the third period

One of his saves ranks as one of the best of the year, while the second may have been somewhat lucky, but it IS better to be lucky than good, especially for an NHL netminder.

After Ondrej Palat scored the eventual game-winner for the Devils in the third period, the Kraken almost tied the game a minute later. Off a pass from Shane Wright, Eeli Tolvanen, parked to the right of the Devils’ cage, appeared to have the open net. But Markstrom dove across the net to get a glove on the shot.

In the closing minutes after the Kraken had pulled goaltender Philipp Grubauer for an extra attacker, Matty Beniers had a golden opportunity to score on a scramble in front of the net. Beniers’ shot looked headed to the back of the net when Markstrom, lying on the ice, lifted his stick and batted the puck away.

When asked if he saw any positives in the loss, Kraken coach Dan Bylsma responded, ``you have to. They’re a good team. They’re coming in desperate from their road trip. It was a tough fought game, both ways. We gave them some opportunities. But we had opportunities.”

The Devils improve their record to 25-15-3 on the season, but the victory ended a four-game road losing streak for New Jersey. The Kraken drop to 17-21-3, but are only 9-10-3 in the supposedly friendly confines of Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle is now in seventh place in the eight-team Pacific Division, falling behind the Anaheim Ducks.

NJ took a 1-0 lead at 7:55 of the first period when Dawson Mercer took a pass from Nico Hischier and beat Grubauer. The two goalkeepers- Markstrom (21 saves) and Grubauer (26) were selected as the top two stars of the game.

Adam Larsson, who missed the third period of Saturday’s game with Edmonton with an undisclosed injury, tied the game with a drive from the point. Jared McCann screened Devils’ goalie Jacob Markstrom. The Devils didn’t ask for a goalie interference review, but Markstrom caught McCann with a two-hander on the back of the leg as he skated away.

“You just try to take his eyesight away,” said McCann. `He’s obviously a great goalie so you’ve got to get bodies in front of him and can’t let him see the puck. He’s obviously a big dude, too.”

New Jersey took a 2-1 lead in the closing minute of the second period. Paul Cotter took a lead pass from Mercer and jammed the puck past Grubauer

Wright tied the game with a shot from directly in front, off a nice feed from Kaapo Kakko below the goal line. Wright’s goal at the beginning of the third period came on the only power play opportunity for either side. Wright has eight goals, five on the power play.

It took Ondraj Palat only 47 seconds to score the `response goal, to give NJ the victory. Palat, a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Tampa Bay Lightning, scored off a Luke Hughes cross pass.

The Kraken received more bad news before the start of the game. Both goalie Joey Daccord and forward Yanni Gourde were put on injured reserve as both have been hampered with injuries of late.

Seattle hopes to start picking up some victories when they begin a five-game road trip starting in Columbus, Thursday night.

 

Scoring Summary

First Period

NJ- Dawson Mercer (Nico Hischier, Tino Meier) 7:55. S- Adam Larsson 2 (Chandler Stephenson 21) 15:47.

Second Period

NJ- Paul Cotter (Mercer, Jonathan Kovacevic) 19:25.

Third Period

S- Shane Wright 8 (Kaapo Kakko 14, Jared McCann 16) 1:24. NJ- Ondraj Palat (Jack Hughes, Dougie Hamilton) 2:01.

Shots on Goal- New Jersey 29 (Jack Hughes 5), Seattle (Matty Beniers 4).

Hits- New Jersey 12 (4 with 2), Seattle (Tye Kartye 4).

Penalty Minutes- New Jersey 7, Seattle 5.

Faceoffs- New Jersey 52.6%. Seattle 47.4%.

Blocked Shots- New Jersey 14 (Brett Pesce 4), Seattle 12 (Chandler Stephenson, Brandon Tanev, Eeli Tolvanen, Vince Dunn 2).

Referees- Brian Pochmara, Carter Sandlak. Linesmen- Ryan Gibbons, Kyle Flemington.

Three Stars- 1. Jacob Markstrom 2. Philipp Grubauer 3. Matty Beniers


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