Kraken 5, Capitals 1
Aside from a couple of golden opportunities off scramble pucks early in the 1st period, the Washington Capitals had nothing going against the Seattle Kraken. Caps head coach Spencer Carberry warned of the possibility during his media availability after the morning skate. He knew the Kraken would make it hard to generate offense.
That may have been an understatement. Seattle consistently prevented Washington from creating much of anything. Four shots on goal in the 1st period; seven more in the 2nd, and only a couple that gave Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer fits.
Superstar legend Alexander Ovechkin looked tired. Washington will probably go 1-and-5 on their road trip with a stop in Motown remaining on Thursday. They rarely have much luck against the Red Wings, a team that’ll be ornery coming off a 3-1 loss at home to the Kings.
Jared McCann scored two goals and added two assists for the Kraken. He briefly thought he’d finished a hat trick just 1:17 into the 3rd period before the play was reviewed and overturned because of a Matty Beniers four-minute high sticking infraction that preceded the goal.
The “Great-8” Ovechkin then managed to bang in his 22nd goal of the season on the ensuing power play. Who knows, maybe he’ll come back for one more season after all. Farewell tour anyone?
The Capitals earned a chance to cut the lead to one and make things very interesting at 7:32 of the 3rd period when Seattle rookie forward Berkly Catton went off for hooking. Nothing came of it.
At 13:12 of the 3rd period Seattle D-man Ryker Evans scored his 5th goal of the season off the rush on a pass that went in off Washington forward Tom Wilson’s foot. Beniers added his 13th of the season about four minutes later. Ryan Winterton scored 27-seconds after Beniers, but the goal was overturned due to goaltender interference.
It didn’t matter.
The Kraken improved their playoff chances while essentially destroying any hope for the Capitals.
Seattle’s Jacob Melanson and Washington’s Brandon Duhaime dropped the mitts with 1:17 remaining in the game for some added entertainment.
Earlier Kraken:
— “Worst 40 Minutes All Season” Doom Kraken Vs. Ducks
