Colorado comeback topples Kraken, 4-3

For a while it appeared the Seattle Kraken were about to avenge their worst loss of the season. Back on Nov. 20, the Kraken dropped a 7-3 decision to the Colorado Avalanche, in a contest that wasn’t as close as the final score would indicate. The Avalanche led 6-0 in the second period.

Last night at Denver’s Ball Arena, the Kraken led 3-1 halfway through the contest. But the Avalanche added a late second period-goal and tallied two more markers in the third period for a 4-3 win. It was Colorado’s fifth consecutive come-from-behind victory and their 12^th straight home win. Overall, the Avs improve their record to 21-8-2, and the Kraken (playing their first game since New Years night) drop to 10-20-4. For the second time this season, Seattle dropped its sixth consecutive game.

While the calendar has turned the page on another year, last night’s contest offered similarities to the 2021 Kraken. As usual, Seattle’s work ethic couldn’t be questioned. At times the Kraken carried the play, looking like a team that could compete with the league’s elite. They also played a strong second period, which traditionally has been the Kraken’s best 20 minutes.

On the negative side, the Kraken were back on their respective heels in the third period as the Avalanche had all the offensive pressure while the Kraken could only muster 14 shots in the final two periods. Philipp Grubauer generally played well in his return to Colorado – he was a Vezina trophy finalist (given to the top NHL goalie) last season as a member of the Avs. But the Kraken were burned on a couple of odd man rushes and some careless defensive play in front of the net.

AND, for what seemed like the umpteenth time this season, the Kraken came out on the short end of a challenge of an opposing player kicking the puck into the net. “But we didn’t come here to play a good hockey game. We came to win.” Actually, it’s been only three times – including the Kraken’s first game ever at Las Vegas. This time it was Devon Toews’ tying goal in the third period. Replays showed Toews lifted his skate which was hit by the puck and the puck ricochet into the net. (Adding insult to injury, the Kraken have had a goal called back this season after the refs ruled it had been kicked into the net).

“I did some good things,” said Grubauer, who added sarcastically. “I don’t know the definition of a kick-in. I wish somebody would tell me

“I thought Grubie was solid,” said Kraken coach Dave Hakstol. “But we didn’t come here to play a good hockey game. We came to win.”

All of the Kraken players who were sidelined with COVID have returned to the lineup. Forward Jaden Schwartz, the team’s second leading scorer, had his hand operated on and is sidelined four to six weeks. Brandon Tanev, who was one of the Kraken’s top defensive forwards, is gone for the year with knee surgery.

Marcus Johansson took Schwartz’s place on the top scoring line joining Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle. Johansson recorded the first Kraken goal of the contest and his third of the campaign. McCann and Colin Blackwell, who missed several games due to COVID protocols, added second-period goals.

The Kraken travel to Dallas for their first-ever meeting with the Dallas Stars.

GAME NOTES

The Kraken’s Philipp Grubauer and Joonas Donskoi received a warm reception from Colorado fans when they were introduced at the first play stoppage. Grubauer and Donskoi were members of the Avs last year when Colorado compiled the league’s best regular-season record – they were eliminated by the Las Vegas Golden Knights in the second-round of the playoffs. Some Colorado fans even did the “Gruu” chant when Grubauer made a save.

While some Kraken fans have been disappointed with Grubauer’s play, word out of the Mile High City is that some Avalanche fans still think he’s a better option than their current goalies. On Saturday night, Darcy Kuemper, who was acquired via trade to replace Grubauer, was pulled in the first period against Toronto.

GAME SUMMARY

1^st Period

C – Nicolas Aube-Kubel (Logan O’Connor, Alex Newhook) 5:50

S – Marcus Johansson (Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle) power play, 9:16.

2^nd Period

S – Jared McCann (Vince Dunn, Marcus Johansson) 4:49

S – Colin Blackwell (Jamie Oleksiak, Yanni Gourde) 14:20.

C – Aube-Kubel (Andre Burakovsky, Jack Johnson) 17:00.

3^rd Period

C – Devon Toews (Cale Makar, Nazem Kadri) 11:47.

C – Kadri (Burakovsky, Tyson Jost) 14:17.

Goals/Saves – S: Philipp Grubauer 4-31. C:  Pavel Francouz 3-23

Penalties – Seattle: 4-8. Colorado 3-6.

Referees – Steve Kozari, Francois St. Laurent. Linesmen – Bryan Pancinch, Shander Alphonso.