Bold start: A stellar performance by Joey Daccord and a relentless Kraken defense ended Carolina’s impressive point streak, flipping the script in Seattle.
Daccord stopped 35 shots to lift Seattle to a 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes at Climate Pledge Arena, snapping Carolina’s 12-game run with at least a point. The Kraken, who had dropped their first two games after the Olympic break, recovered with a win that reflected solid goaltending, smart shot management, and timely scoring.
Key moments and players
- Kaapo Kakko and Ben Meyers provided the Kraken’s goals, while Adam Larsson contributed two assists to support Daccord’s effort. Seattle moved to 29-22-9 with back-to-back wins.
- Kakko opened the scoring in the second period, hitting a 2-on-1 shot from the right circle after drawing the attention of Carolina’s defense. He mentioned initially wanting to pass, but the opportunity presented itself and he capitalized.
- Meyers doubled Seattle’s lead shortly after, finishing a sequence started by Frederick Gaudreau from the corner. The rebound deflected off a Hurricanes defenseman and into the net, with Meyers completing the sequence by steering the puck past Frederik Andersen.
- Nikolaj Ehlers spoiled Daccord’s shutout bid late in the second by beating the Seattle goalie at 18:30, cutting the Hurricanes’ deficit to 2-1. Carolina pressed in the final minutes, but the Kraken held firm.
Team notes and coaching insights
- Seattle pressed to limit high-quality chances and relied on Daccord’s ability to control rebounds, which helped the Kraken manage Carolina’s shot volume and chaotic plays. Coach Lane Lambert highlighted the importance of keeping shots to the outside and creating whistles to reset the defensive structure.
- Carolina, riding a 10-0-2 stretch during their point streak, saw Frederik Andersen stop 13 shots in goal but could not solve Seattle’s defense fully, especially after conceding early in the second period. Rod Brind’Amour noted that while the Hurricanes played well overall, they needed more offensive firepower given their possessions in the zone.
Context and implications
- The Kraken’s win marked the second time in franchise history they ended an opponent’s point streak of 12 or more games. The first came on January 12, 2023, when they halted the Bruins’ 14-game streak.
- Carolina’s 12-game point streak was tied for the fourth-longest in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history, making Seattle’s victory a notable upset against a hot opponent.
Bottom line
- Seattle’s balance of sturdy defense, goaltending excellence from Daccord, and timely offense from Kakko and Meyers produced a hard-fought win that halted a significant Hurricanes run. Carolina will look to rebound quickly, while Seattle builds momentum from a pair of consecutive wins after the break.
Question for readers: Should this be seen as a turning point for Seattle’s ceiling this season, or is it more a reflection of Carolina’s recent vulnerability? Share your take in the comments.
