Blue Jacket comeback derails Kraken in 2-1 OT Victory

For the second consecutive game, the Seattle Kraken defense fought to hold on to a one-goal third-period lead. They were successful Thursday night in Nashville recording their first-ever victory, but it was a different story last night at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus. The hometown Blue Jackets tied the game with ten minutes left in the third period and tallied the game-winner two minutes into overtime for a 2-1 victory.

Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer deserved a better fate. A runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season, Grubauer seems to get better every game for the Kraken. He had 23 saves last night and robbed the Blue Jackets on breakaways in each of the first two periods.

In the first period, Columbus native Sean Kuraly pounced on a loose puck and Grubauer made a kick save. In the second period, he made two stellar stops on the same breakaway. Grubauer sprawled and deflected Patrik Laine’s scoring bid and then regained his balance to stop Zach Werenski’s rebound attempt.

Along with Grubauer, Brandon `Turbo’ Tanev continues to be the Kraken’s best all-around player. Tanev, who scored the game-winning goal for Providence College in the 2015 NCAA championship game, scored a highlight-reel goal to give Seattle a 1-0 lead in the second period.

Tanev cut toward the net, faked a shot-making Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins commit and then lifted a backhander into the net. Tanev now has a team-high three goals on the season. The score came at 14:32 of the second period and Ryan Donato had the lone assist.

“It’s doing anything the team needs, whether it’s blocking a shot, making a big hit or just playing simple,” said Tanev. “It’s moments on the ice and understanding where you need to be that I bring every night.”

However, the Kraken were unable to hold their tenuous one-goal lead. It was actually the Blue Jackets’ fourth line that notched the tying goal, Eric Robinson scoring from Greg Hoffman at 10:07 of the third period.

Laine then added the game-winner at 2:16 of the overtime frame. With the Kraken making a line change, Columbus capitalized on a 3-on-2 break with Laine snapping a wrist shot home.

Despite the Blue Jacket comeback, Seattle coach Dave Hakstol felt the Kraken played better in the third period than their previous game. “In the Nashville game we had trouble breaking out of our defensive zone. Tonight was different. We didn’t spend too much time in our zone. But we gave away chances on the Columbus rush.

“It’s disappointing to have a lead in the third period,” Hakstol added. “You want to add extend that lead but we didn’t do it tonight.”

GAME NOTES

• Alex Wennberg became the first Kraken player to face a former team. The forward played 415 games for the Blue Jackets from 2014-2020. He faced Columbus last season with the Florida Panthers. Wennberg had 40 goals and 161 assists in his time with the Blue Jackets.
• The Kraken were not called for a penalty. The Blue Jackets were assessed one when rookie forward Cole Sillinger cross-checked Joonas Donskoi 17 seconds into the second period. The 18-year-old’s father Mike `Suitcase’ Sillinger also played for the Blue Jackets. The elder Sillinger earned his nickname by playing for 12 different NHL teams, a league record.
• The Kraken had a grand total of 21 blocked shots throughout the game. Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (6-7, 255) was immense on defense, blocking three shots and leading the Kraken with five hits. Adam Larsson also had three blocked shots.
• Because of the NHL’s confusing way of figuring the standings, the Kraken briefly moved into first place in the Pacific Division. Standings are compiled by points. Seattle got two points for Thursday’s win against Nashville, the Kraken and the Blue Jackets both receive a point for a regulation tie. While Columbus won the game the teams were playing for a `bonus’ point. Seattle and Vancouver both have a win, a loss and an overtime loss for three points
• Seattle will become the first team to reach five games when they play at Philadelphia on Monday and New Jersey the following night. Four teams didn’t even begin their season until last night. The Kraken began their home season Friday against the Vancouver Canucks, starting a three-game home streak at Climate Pledge Arena.

GAME SUMMARY

First period

No scoring.

Second period

S – Brandon Tanev (Ryan Donato), 14:32.

Third period

C – Eric Robinson (Scott Harrington, Greg Hoffman) 10:07.

Overtime

C – Patrik Laine (Zach Werenski, Max Domi) 2:16.

Saves – S: Philipp Grubauer 2-25 .920. C: Elvis Merzlikens 1-19 .950

Penalties – S: 0-0. C 1-2.

Referees – Wes McCauley, Gord Dwyer. Linesmen – Kyle Flemington, Michel Cormier.

Attendance – 17,593.