Kraken winless in Seattle

 

Hard to believe, but the Seattle Kraken finish their February home schedule without a victory. The Kraken dropped a 3-1 decision to another hot team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, who currently reside in second place in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.

After a home stand that saw the Kraken lose three straight after a win versus San Jose (on Jan. 30), Seattle travels to Calgary tomorrow and following that game the entire NHL goes on hiatus. The Kraken are now 23-29-4 overall.

For the next two weeks, the United States, Canada, Sweden and Finland will compete in the Nation4 series comprised of players from those countries. Regular season play resumes on Feb. 22. But the Kraken will start a three-game road trip before FINALLY returning home on Mar. 1.

``At times, we’re close to finding some good hockey but I just don’t think we find it consistently enough,” said Oliver Bjorkstrand, who had an assist and picked up his second fighting penalty of the season (against Toronto’s Simon Benoit) after not drawing any fighting penalties in his first two years with the Kraken. “So, that’s obviously a problem. You’ve got to be consistent and play good hockey. Especially against good teams.’’

``I think at times we’ve been better at having a shooting mentality and getting guys around the blue paint,” said Kraken coach Dan Bylsma, wishing his team would shoot more. “I think you can expect to get the pretty goals every now and again, but you’ve got to get a little hungry and a little dirtier to score the everyday goals."

Eeli Tolvanen had the lone Seattle goal. After taking a lead pass from Bjorkstrand, Tolvanen got a screen from defenseman Cale Fleury (filling in for the injured Ryker Evans) and with the defender occupied, Tolvanen fired one past Leaf goalie Anthony Stolarz. Goalie Joey Daccord earned his second NHL assist on the play to go along with 27 saves in the game.

“It’s just shooting the puck – going to the net,” said Tolvanen, who has two streaks this season of scoring goals in three consecutive games. ``I feel like the last couple of games I’ve had more shots and more opportunities. So, I think it’s just that you keep shooting and hope something goes in.”

Philippe Meyers opened the scoring for the Maple Leafs, with his first goal in two seasons. The Toronto defenseman’s long shot hit off Matty Beniers and went into the Seattle net.

Things got worse for the Kraken when Chandler Stephenson was called for a high-sticking penalty on Toronto’s Morgan Reilly at 16:57 of the first period. Since Reilly had a cut on his lip, Stephenson received a double minor. Bobby McMann’s following power-play goal made it 2-0.

In the second period, Seattle came up on the short-end of a video goal review. Matthew Niese, may or may not, have had his stick over his shoulder when he deflected a shot from defenseman Jake McCabe past Daccord. After a review by the Toronto situation room, the ruling was a good goal.

Those who follow the Kraken regularly know that the team has been unsuccessful with goal challenges of late- last season Seattle won several replay challenges. However, the Kraken lost two challenges in Sunday’s loss to Calgary – one goal taken away from Seattle and one Calgary goal upheld.

Seattle upgraded its offense with 11 shots on goal in the third period. Daccord was pulled with 3:57 remaining and when Auston Matthews was penalized for high-sticking Brandon Montour, the Kraken had a 6-4 advantage.

Bjorkstrand had the best scoring chance with a shot from directly in front that was kicked out by Leafs’ goaltender Anthony Stolarz. Bjorkstrand secured the rebound but fired over the net. Stolarz, who won a Stanley Cup last season, mostly sitting on the Florida Panthers’ bench was the game’s number-one star with 25 saves.

Scoring Summary

First Period

T- Philippe Myers (John Tavares, Mitch Marner) 7:53.

T- Bobby McMann (Morgan Rielly, Max Domi) PPG 18:53.

Second Period

T- Matthews Knies (Jake McCabe, Auston Matthews) 12:57.

Third Period

S- Eeli Tolvanen 16 (Oliver Bjorkstrand 20, Joey Daccord 2) 5:43

Shots on Goal- Toronto 30 (Auston Matthews 6). Seattle 27 (Brandon Montour 6)

Hits-Toronto 14 (Simon Benoit 4), Seattle 15 (Tye Kartye 4).

Penalty Minutes- Toronto 15, Seattle 11.

Faceoffs- Toronto 52.7%. Seattle 47.3%

Blocked Shots- Toronto 19 (Chris Tanev 6), Seattle 11 (Brandon Montour 4).

Referees- Kyle Rehman, Carter Sandlak. Linesmen- Brandon Gawryletz, Jonathan Deschamps.

Three Stars- 1. Anthony Stolarz, T. 2. Bobby McMann, T. 3. Eeli Tolvanen, S.