Wild 3, Kraken 2 – OT
The game featured the NHL’s top two goaltenders in terms of save percentage. Jesper Wallstedt of the Wild a league best .928 followed by the Kraken’s Philipp Grubauer at .926.
In the end, the visitor prevailed, and his numbers only got better. Actually, so did “Grubi’s”.
Grubauer stopped 31 of 34 shots-on-goal while Wallstedt stopped 26 of 28.
One might argue Grubauer wasn’t at his best as the Wild methodically built a two-nothing lead on a strong defensive game. Both Ryan Hartman’s goal at 5:00 of the 1st period and defenseman Brock Faber’s at 15:54 of the 2nd period came from the high slot and both seemed preventable. Arguable of course, especially on Faber’s which came through traffic.
The Kraken remained patient and undaunted, saving their heroics for the third period to force overtime.
The excitement built as Seattle D-man Adam Larsson ripped home a slapper from the top of the right circle at 3:13. Center Matty Beniers stuffed home a rebound to finish off the second of back-to-back power play opportunities at 9:07. The place went nuts.
Off to OT we went where the Wild controlled play. The end came off a two-on-one with Kirill Kaprizov finding Mats Zuccarello for the winner at the 2:09 mark.
Ultimately the game was fun, wildly entertaining (pun intended), and it extended the Kraken’s point streak to ten games (9-0-and-1).
Earlier Kraken:
— Recent Juggernaut Kraken Meet Consistent Wild
