New Kraken, same result

For the Seattle Kraken – some new players, but a similar result.

Newcomers Jacob Melanson and Mikey Eyssimont provided some energy and physicality to the Kraken lineup (and in the case of Eyssimont, a goal) but the Nashville Predators, with a big territorial advantage posted a 5-3 decision over the Kraken last night at Bridgestone Arena.

Seattle made its biggest news the previous day when they traded original Kraken and fan favorite Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand – who scored the winning goal in Seattle’s game seven playoff win against Colorado in 2023- to the Tampa Bay Lightning for two first-round draft choices and Eysimmont.

Brandon Tanev was also out of the lineup due to what’s called `asset management,’ meaning he was pulled because there was a chance he would be traded during the game. Gourde and Tanev were both in their final years of a contract and both would have become free agents at the conclusion of the season.

Due to Tanev’s absence, Melanson, a fifth-round draft pick by the Kraken in 2021 (the 131^st overall pick) joined Eyssimont and Ben Meyers on the Kraken fourth line. Melanson, a Halifax, Nova Scotia had three goals and seven assists for ten points in 34 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken’s AHL affiliate.

With his parents and fiancé in the stands (Melanson’s dad, Dean Melanson played eight games in the NHL) Melanson had two hits and the Eyssemont-Myers-Melanson line combined for nine hits overall.

``Throughout the game, they were our best line,’’ said Kraken coach Dan Bylsma. ``They were physical and got the puck in our offensive zone.’’

``I really liked playing with those guys,’’ said Eyssemont, who also played briefly with the Winnipeg Jets and the San Jose Sharks before joining the Lightning. ``As the game went on, we started to trust each other. We were running and gunning.’’

Truth be told, Melanson and Eyssemont could be called younger versions of Gourde and Tanev with their physical play and a nack- of getting under opposing players’ skin. A loyal fan posted an Eyssemont video on YouTube (and above) a few years ago- `Mean Mikey, the most hated player in the AHL.’

Eyssemont also has good speed, which was on display as he wasted no time scoring his first Kaken goal. After the Preds’ Luke Evangelista recorded an empty net goal to take a 5-2 lead, the Kraken had one last gasp.

Meyers started the play with a hit in the defensive zone. Eyssemont sped down the ice and scored on a give-and-go play with defenseman Josh Mahura (who’s also on the last year of his contract).

The Kraken actually started fast with Adam Larsson scoring only 32 seconds into the game. Usually known for his defensive prowess, Larsson had four good scoring chances in the game.

However, after Seattle’s initial score, the home team dominated the game with four consecutive goals, two from Filip Forsberg, the number-one star in the game. Jared McCann added a power-play goal for the Kraken in the third period, his first since Nov. 5.

``Shortly after (Larsson’s goal) the momentum turned,’’ said Bylsma. ``They pressured us and we didn’t do a good job getting the puck out of our zone.’’

Meanwhile in Tampa Bay, Bjorkstrand scored the game winner for the Lightning, assisted by Gourde in a 6-5 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Bjorkstrand was only the game’s number-two star because Jake Guentzel had a hat trick. However, most NHL observers were impressed that the Kraken were able to get two number-one picks in the trade.

The Kraken play two afternoon games this weekend at Philadelphia on Saturday and Washington on Sunday, where Alex Ovechkin pursues Wayne Gretzky for the all-time NHL goal scoring record.

Scoring Summary

First Period

S- Adam Larsson 5 (Vince Dunn 18, Kaapo Kakko 26) :32.

N- Filip Forsberg (Colton Sissons) 7:15.

Second Period

N- Brady Skjei (Steven Stamkos, Ryan O’Reilly) 3:32.

N- Forsberg (Jonathan Marchessault, Marc Del Gazzo) 5:48.

N- Michael McCarron (Ozzy Westblatt, Justin Barron) 19:51.

Third Period

S- Jared McCann 16 (Jaden Schwartz 20, Andre Burakovsky 17) PPG, 3:32.

N- Luke Evangelista (Stamkos, Spencer Stastney) EN, 17:15.

S- Michael Eyssimont 6 (Josh Mahura 8) 18:14.

Shots on Goal- Seattle 25 (Jaden Schwartz 5), Nashville 34 (Filip Forsberg 5).

Hits- Seattle 24 (Eeli Tolvanen 6), Nashville 25 (Andreas Englund 6).

Penalty Minutes- Seattle 2, Nashville 6.

Faceoffs- Seattle 38%. Nashville 62%.

Blocked Shots- Seattle 16 (Vince Dunn 3). Nashville 26 (Michael McCarron 6).

Referees- Jake Brenk, Furman South. Linesmen- Derek Nanson, Tyson Baker.