Kraken win over Sharks again

 

In a game lacking any playoff implications, the Seattle Kraken earned some bragging rights with a 5-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks, last night at the SAP Center.

Jared McCann, the Kraken’s all-time leading scorer, reached the 20-goal mark, with goals in the first and second periods. McCann, who’s reached at least 20 goals in each of his four years with the team, wasn’t able to record his second-ever Kraken hat trick in a scoreless third period.

Andre Burakovsky, McCann’s linemate in recent games, chipped in with a goal and an assist and now has 11 points in his last nine games. Joey Daccord had another stellar night, stopping 23 of 24 shots in the Kraken net. Only Will Smith’s goal at 14:19 of the first period prevented Daccord from ranking up another shutout.

``Our line (with Shane Wright at center) has had a lot of chemistry the last couple of games,’’ said McCann, who had three assists in the Kraken’s win over Vancouver on Thursday. ``We feel like even before that, we had a lot of chances, a lot of grade-A's that weren't necessarily going in. We're just going to stick with it and try to stay positive.”

Most importantly, McCann was instrumental in the Kraken recording two first-period goals. While Seattle has often played well in the third period, the Kraken have the worst goal differential in the league in the opening frame.

“It was a good change from our team,” said Kraken coach Dan Bylsma, of the good opening period. “We catch them in a long change and turn it into a goal. That's the mantra, that's what I think we've been doing now the last couple games, You've been seeing the hallmark of us, playing fast and playing in the offensive zone.

"I thought early, the first four minutes of the game, I think there were four Grade-A's (San Jose shots) and Daccord made some good saves and it allowed us to answer back quickly," Bylsma added.

Actually, the Sharks had the first five shots of the game, but the Kraken scored on their first shot. After defenseman Josh Mahura sent the puck up ice, McCann took a cross-ice pass from Burakovsky and his shot went through the legs of San Jose goalkeeper Alexander Georgiev.

McCann also received the secondary assist on the second Kraken goal at 9:36. Burakovsky scored off a lovely pass from defenseman Adam Larsson, which slid through a couple of SJ defenders.

The Sharks only goal came on a tip-in from Will Smith, one of their young future stars along with Macklin Celebrini. Smith made a veteran move, with a subtle trip on Seattle defenseman Vince Dunn, just before Tyler Toffoli’s shot, giving Smith the open net.

Seattle added two unassisted goals in the second period from the sticks of Chandler Stephenson and Jaden Schwartz, who’ve both missed time recently with injuries. Schwartz blasted one from the left circle at 11:36 that chased Georgiev from the game, replaced by Georgi Romanov.

McCann scored his second goal at 19:07 of the second period off a drop pass from Wright but neither team scored in the third period.

The Kraken (33-36-6) and the Sharks (20-46-10) came into the contest as the bottom two teams in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference. Seattle’s now 2-0 for the month of April, although admittedly some fans would like to see them keep losing to get a higher pick in the NHL Entry Draft (the top positions are decided by a lottery, anyway).

Seattle continues its road trip tomorrow in Los Angeles and Tuesday in Utah.

Scoring Summary

First Period

S- Jared McCann 19 (Andre Burakovsky 25, Josh Mahura 9) 5:46.

S- Burakovsky 10 (Adam Larsson 20, McCann 38) 9:26.

SJ- Will Smith (Tyler Toffoli, Macklin Calebrini) 14:19.

Second Period

S- Chandler Stephenson 13 (unassisted) 7:39.

S- Jaden Schwartz 24 (unassisted) 11:36.

S- McCann 20 (Shane Wright 24, Kaapo Kakko 28) 11:39.

Third Period

No scoring.

Shots on Goal- Seattle 22 (Jared McCann 6), San Jose 24 (Tyler Toffoli 5).

Hits- Seattle 9 (Eeli Tolvanen 4), San Jose (Zach Ostapchuck 5).

Penalty Minutes- Seattle 35, San Jose 29.

Faceoffs-Seattle 54.7%., San Jose 45.3%.

Blocked Shots- Seattle 14 (Adam Larsson, John Hayden 3), San Jose 15 (Timothy Liljegren 3).

Referee- Cody Beach, Stephen Hiff. Linesmen- Mitch Hunt, Joe Mahon.

Three Stars- Jared McCann 2. Shane Wright 3. Joey Daccord.