Seattle Kraken dreams of sweeping the season series against the Vegas Golden Knights came up snake eyes in Sin City.
The 3rd period proved the difference in a 4-1 Vegas victory Thursday at T-Mobile Arena. More than 13 minutes into the final frame, the Golden Knights had two goals and the Kraken had produced two shots on goal.
The period started tied 1-1, before Mitch Marner at 1:23, and a pair of Reilly Smith tallies at 12:01 and 16:36, provided the winning margin.
The victory clinched the Pacific Division title for the Golden Knights. Vegas has won seven of eight games since John Tortorella took over for Bruce Cassidy as coach on Mar. 29.
In fact, the only blemish on their record is a 4-3 shootout loss to the Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Apr. 9. Seattle had previously beaten Cassidy’s Golden Knights 2-1 in overtime on Oct. 11, and 3-2 on Jan. 31.
Coach Critical Of Kraken Decision-Making
“(Vegas) started to own pucks down in our zone, starting five minutes into the 2nd period,” said Kraken coach Lane Lambert. “The bottom line is, physical play and the size of their hockey team, we couldn’t find an answer for that.
“We made a lot of stupid plays. Our game management leaves a lot to be desired right now. I don’t understand why our team can’t sustain a 60-minute game. We refuse to move the puck quickly. We back into our zone and turn it over. This is why we have to defend so much.”
Seattle for the third time this month did not earn a man advantage (Wed. vs. Vegas, Mon. vs. Los Angeles, Apr. 5 vs. Winnipeg, all losses).
“This is a couple of games now that we haven’t had a power play,” said Lambert. “If we’re owning pucks and making them take it away from us, eventually something happens where you draw a penalty.”
Shane Wright, Jani Nyman Provide Offense
A pair of out of favor Kraken forwards combined on the only goal for the visitors. Shane Wright, in or near coach Lambert’s doghouse for much of the season, scored his 12th at 2:24 of the 2nd period. This was Wright’s return after an upper-body injury suffered in Buffalo on Mar. 28 cost him eight games.
“A little rusty for sure,” Wright said afterward. “Happy overall with my game. Really good to be back in the lineup. Jani (Nyman) did a good job winning a puck battle against two guys.”
As Wright made sure to mention, one of the assists on his goal belonged to his new linemate. Nyman fished out the rebound of Jamie Oleksiak’s shot and centered to Wright, who one-timed the puck past Carter Hart (22 saves). Nyman was just recalled from a lengthy exile at AHL Coachella Valley, as Jaden Schwartz was out injured.
The lead lasted until Shea Theodore wristed home the tying goal after a faceoff win at 17:35.
Kraken netminder Nikke Kokko, starting his third consecutive game – the 22-year-old rookie’s first three NHL starts – made 23 saves in a losing effort. Coach Lambert placed the blame for the goals not on the young goaltender as much as the skaters in front of him.
“I thought he was good. There isn’t a lot of rhythm with the defense on this team. There wasn’t enough clarity for him.”
Defenseman Vince Dunn seconded his coach’s assessment. “The second half of the game, we were just chasing the game all the time. We make things way too hard on ourselves. Over-complicated passes, not putting ourselves in good areas to succeed with the puck.
“When you’re dumping it in or trying to pass to guys, to forecheck or get into the neutral zone, you have to put it in good spots.”
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