By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – With a Vincent Trocheck goal deep into the final frame, the New York Rangers were on the verge of handing the Seattle Kraken a second consecutive loss due to a blown lead. Thanks to practicing their three on three the past few days, the Kraken were better equipped than their past game, a loss to Winnipeg after a blown lead in regulation. That practice paid off, as the Kraken were patient and smart with the puck, eventually finding a rebound to punch home past Vezina-winning Igor Shesterkin to secure their first overtime win at home in franchise history. The win displays Seattle’s resiliency and ability to adjust, characteristics that will serve them well all season long.
Jordan Eberle watches as Justin Schultz scores the game winning goal, and Igor Shesterkin dives in hopes of stopping it but is too late (Photos by Liv Lyons)
Goaltender battle captivates the crowd
For most of this contest, both goaltenders were on full display. Vezina-trophy winner Igor Shesterkin of the Rangers made incredible saves time and time again as if that was the standard for him, rejecting multiple Kraken attempts that may normally go in. In the other net, Seattle’s Martin Jones continued his rock-solid form, practically matching Shesterkin save for save. A highlight of Jones was on a breakaway, as Kaapo Kakko took a turnover to point blank range, and it took the toe of Jones’ skate to block the puck and a potential Rangers lead. Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol reflected on the goaltenders in the game.
“Both goaltenders were good. The second period, we had an excellent twenty minutes, generated a lot of opportunities, but that’s what Igor does. He’s a great goaltender, he’s that for a reason, but ya know what? Our guy was pretty damn good tonight as well, and really timely,” Hakstol stated.
Kraken goaltender Martin Jones made 28 saves on the night (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Schultz shuts the door on the Rangers
The star of the night was an unlikely one, as defensemen Justin Schultz came up big throughout the course of the game and scored the game winner in overtime. A veteran free agent signing that has had an inconsistent start to the season, Schultz helped provide unlikely offense against one of the best goalies in the NHL. His first goal of the night came halfway through the third period, as a shot from nearly center ice deflected off of a Rangers skater and just past Shesterkin to give Seattle the lead. His second of the night and the goal that gave the Kraken a win came on a deflected shot by Jordan Eberle that whizzed right to Schultz, who had to simply whack it past Shesterkin to win. Schultz reflected on the win, postgame.
“Shesterkin made some big saves on us, he’s one of the best in the league. We find a way to get a few by him tonight. I wasn’t trying to score on the first one, just trying to get it to the net. I think we got a tip on it, great to see it go in... on the winner, Ebs did a great job driving them wide, and I hoped they would call it to me. Then, I just found a way to get in there,” Schultz reflected.
The Kraken celebrate Justin Schultz's game winner in overtime as the crowd cheers them on (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Regaining their footing
While numerically this wasn’t a huge, dominating win by Seattle, and the team had to avoid blowing the lead for a second straight game, this is a measuring-stick type win for the Kraken. The Rangers are a talented team from top to bottom, with arguably the best netminder in the world between the pipes. New York, having reached the Eastern Conference Final last season, may still be searching for their form this season, but this sort of win may get the Seattle ship back on course following a few tight losses. The ability to adjust is necessary for this team to grow, and that was shown with the play in overtime.
Kraken forward Yanni Gourde played in his 400th career NHL game (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Quick notes
Tonight marks the Kraken's first-ever overtime win at Climate Pledge Arena (Adam Larsson scored the game-winning goal on Jan. 27, 2021 at Pittsburgh).
Justin Schultz's game-winning goal nets Seattle its first overtime win this season and second OT win in franchise history
This is his 12th career game-winning goal and second career overtime game-winning goal.
This is Schultz's first multi-goal game of his career.
Tonight marks Yanni Gourde’s 400th NHL game. He has appeared in 310 regular-season games for the Tampa Bay Lightning and 90 regular-season games for the Seattle Kraken.
Jared McCann’s goal gives him five points (three goals, two assists) in his last five games against the Rangers. He has recorded at least a point in each of his two games against New York as a member of the Kraken.
This is McCann's sixth goal of the season, which leads all Kraken skaters.
Jordan Eberle earned the secondary assist on McCann’s goal to give him seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last six games against the Rangers. Eberle now has three points against New York since joining the Kraken.
He also has seven points (four goals, three assists) in his last six home games dating back to Oct. 27 vs. Vancouver. His four goals at Climate Pledge Arena this season lead all Kraken skaters.
Andre Burakovsky has seven points (one goal, six assists) in his last seven games and has ten points (two goals, eight assists) in ten games at Climate Pledge Arena this season.
With his primary assist tonight, Burakovsky remains the team’s leading scorer when playing at home this season.
Burakovsky also has six points (one goal, five assists) in his last six games against New York.
Cale Fleury finished tonight with a +2 rating, accomplishing the feat for the second time in his career and in his second game with the Kraken this season.
Martin Jones has posted 6-2-1 record in his last nine games played dating back to Oct. 25 vs. Buffalo.
What's next?
Next up, the Kraken will near the end of their six game homestand as they welcome the Los Angeles Kings to down for a Saturday, November 19th matchup. The fifth game of six in this stretch at home, Seattle will play host to the team that sits right above them in the Pacific Division standings. A win following their 7PM PST puck drop on Saturday would push the Kraken back into second place in the division.
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