Brandon Tanev Double Leads Kraken To Historic 4-3 Win Over Predators

From the day he was named head coach of the Seattle Kraken, Dave Hakstol has stressed the defensive aspects of the game. And in hockey, defense starts with the goaltender. Last night, goalie Philipp Grubauer stopped 12 shots in the third period as the Kraken held on to defeat the Nashville Predators, 4-3, for the first win in franchise history.

Grubauer showed why he finished second in the Vezina Trophy race last season – awarded to the top NHL goaltender – in a hectic third period that saw the puck mostly in the Kraken defensive zone. Nashville outshot Seattle, 13-1, in the final frame. With just under five minutes remaining and Seattle clinging to a 3-2 lead, Grubauer robbed the Predators’ Eeli Tolvanen who fired a point-blank shot from directly in front of the net.

After the game, Grubauer downplayed his exploits and talked about the victory. “(The win) doesn’t only speak for the players. It speaks for the organization and rewards the people that put in the work for two years.”

It was another night of firsts for the Kraken including their first two power-play goals and an empty-net goal. After Tolvanen pounced on a loose puck to give Nashville a 1-0 lead at 3:18 of the first, Jared McCann tied it with the first Kraken power-play goal at 15:27. McCann fired from the left side with teammate Jaden Schwartz screening goalie Juuse Saros.

That came moments after the first Seattle fight. Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn dropped the Predators’ Colton Sissons with an open-ice hit and was challenged by Sissons’ linemate Yakov Trenin. After the two traded punches, Trenin received two more minutes as the aggressor putting Seattle on the power play.

It took a little more than two minutes for the second Kraken goal with a man advantage. Brandon Tanev scored on his own rebound after a pass from Joonas Donskoi.

The penalties continued in the second period. With defenseman Adam Larsson and Tanev in the sin bin, the Predators capitalized on a 5-3 advantage. All-star defenseman Roman Josi fired a shot that made its way through a screen of players.

Alexander Wennberg added the goal that put Seattle in front to stay at 9:54 of the second period. After receiving a pass from linemate Alex Barre-Boulet, who the Kraken picked up on waivers from Tampa Bay on Monday, Wennberg went top shelf into the right corner of the net.

Unable to secure the tying goal, the Predators pulled their goalie Saros in the final two minutes. The extra man didn’t help as the Kraken were able to move out of their own zone. Tanev took a pass from McCann and fired home the first Kraken empty-net goal.

Playing before a sellout home crowd on opening night, Nashville still showed signs of life. With the teams at equal strength, Mikael Granlund scored on a scramble in front with 40 seconds left.

Hakstol preferred to be positive after the game when asked if the Kraken became too conservative in the third period. “Guys were calm and pretty focused. I know guys were really excited to be able to get the first win. It’s the first win in franchise history. That’s a big deal for everybody.”

GAME NOTES

• The Kraken’s Calle Jarnkrok, currently sidelined with COVID, was Nashville’s third leading scorer last season with 13 goals and 14 assists. Along with Jarnkrok’s departure long-time goalie Pekka Rinne has retired after 15 years in the league and the Predators traded high-scoring forward Viktor Arvidsson to the Los Angeles Kings for draft choices.
• Hakstol was pleased with the play of Alex Barre-Boulet who made his Kraken debut after being picked up on waivers two days ago. Barre-Boulet had the primary assist on Alex Wennberg’s second period goal. Wennberg’s expected linemates – Jarnkrok and Marcus Johanson (upper body injury) – are both sidelined.
• Seattle also lost a player yesterday. The Kraken placed defenseman Dennis Cholowski on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the AHL Charlotte Checkers but the Washington Capitals scooped up the 22-year-old defenseman. Cholowski was the Kraken draft pick from the Detroit Red Wings.
• How often is an equipment manager recognized? The Predators gave a video tribute early in the first period to Kraken equipment manager Jeff Carmello. Carmello spent 15 years as Nashville’s assistant equipment manager.
• The Kraken head to Columbus, Saturday night for the third game of a five-game season opening road trip. The Blue Jackets are mourning the loss of one of their goalkeepers Matiss Kivlenieks, who was tragically killed in a fireworks accident on the 4th of July.

GAME SUMMARY

1st Period

N- Eelie Tolvanen (Mikael Granlund, Luke Kunin) 3:18.

S- Jared McCann (Mark Giordano, Jordan Eberle) power play, 15:27.

S- Brandon Tanev (Joonas Donskoi, Alex Wennberg) power play, 17:37.

2nd Period

N – Roman Josi (Filip Forsberg, Mikael Granlund) power play, 4:38.

S – Alex Wennberg (Alex Barre-Boulet) 9:54.

3rd Period

S – Brandon Tanev (Mason Appleton, Jared McCann) empty net, 18:39.

N – Mikael Granlund (Filip Forsberg, Alexander Carrier) 19:20.

Goalies: S- Philipp Grubauer 27-30 .900. N – Juuse Saros 22-25 .880.

Penalties: S 4-11. N 4-11.

Referees- Ian Walsh, Pierre Lambert. Linesmen- Libor Suchaner, CJ Murray.