Devils fall to Kraken in OT as five-game win streak snapped

SEATTLE — It took all of 45 video games for the Seattle Kraken to match the win complete from the franchise’s disappointing inaugural season.

It additionally landed Seattle a spot few anticipated the Kraken to see this season: first place. It additionally ended a Devils’ profitable streak.

Ryan Donato had two objectives and an help, and Andre Burakovsky scored 1:10 into time beyond regulation to provide the Kraken a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday evening.

Seattle snapped a two-game dropping streak and picked up its twenty seventh victory, matching its complete from final season when the Kraken completed 27-49-6. The win mixed with Vegas’ loss to Detroit moved Seattle right into a first-place tie with the Golden Knights within the Pacific Division, though the Kraken have a greater factors share.

“It tells me the work that the group in right here has executed. I imply, that’s that’s the underside line, proper?” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol mentioned. “That’s what we’re right here for. You’re right here to compete for a playoff spot and positioning, and No. 1 on the record — proceed competing each evening for necessary factors that go into the financial institution towards a playoff berth.”

As for the Devils, they’d gained 5 straight video games general and 7 in a row on the highway. It missed out on an opportunity to comb a five-game journey, its longest of the season.

Regardless of selecting up 9 of a attainable 10 factors on the journey. coach Lindy Ruff was disillusioned with the efficiency.

“It seems to be a superb journey. I imply, you’re comfortable anytime you will get that quantity of factors,” he mentioned. “We’re not proud of the way in which we’re enjoying. Didn’t like how we performed tonight. Misplaced too many battles. Gave up too many conditions which can be preventable.”

Donato powered Seattle to an early 2-0 lead, however New Jersey rallied. Erik Haula’s short-handed breakaway aim at 6:04 of the third interval tied it at 2.

Brandon Tanev put the Kraken in entrance once more at 7:51, however New Jersey compelled time beyond regulation with one other late aim. Nico Hischier jabbed the rebound off Jack Hughes’ shot previous Seattle goalie Martin Jones with 1:14 left, capping an prolonged flurry of exercise across the internet after the Devils pulled goalie Mackenzie Blackwell.

It was the second straight sport that New Jersey compelled time beyond regulation with a late aim after pulling the goalie. Hughes scored with 8.6 seconds left in regulation in opposition to San Jose on Monday. The Devils ultimately gained in a shootout.

Burakovsky’s thirteenth aim of the season slipped below Blackwell’s pad.

“I feel I used to be simply fortunate. I don’t know who it was, (Jesper) Bratt perhaps, it hit his stick and went five-hole,” Burakovsky mentioned. “I imply, that’s probably not what I used to be making an attempt to do however it labored out.”

Damon Severson scored halfway by way of the second interval to drag New Jersey inside 2-1.

Jones made 27 saves and gained for the eighth time in his previous 9 begins. Blackwood made 36 saves, holding the Devils within the sport by withstanding an early onslaught of photographs by the Kraken.

Donato scored practically similar objectives, snapping an eight-game stretch when he failed to search out the again of the online. Donato scored in 5 of six video games in December after which went chilly with simply 4 factors throughout the eight-game aim drought.

He received his first aim at 12:27 of the primary when he snapped a wrist shot from the proper circle over Blackwell’s glove and below the crossbar.

The second aim got here from practically the identical spot on the ice and gave Seattle a 2-0 lead at 4:52 of the second.

New Jersey F Nathan Bastian returned after lacking 22 video games with an upper-body harm.