Seattle Kraken beat Avs 3-2, can clinch series at home in Game 6

DENVER (AP) — Tye Kartye scored in his NHL debut and the Seattle Kraken moved a win away from clinching their first playoff collection after beating the reigning Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Wednesday night time.

Seattle Kraken 3, Colorado Avalanche 2: Stats

The Kraken take a 3-2 lead within the first-round collection again house to Seattle, the place they will advance Friday night time in entrance of their raucous house followers.

“It’s the spot you wish to be, however on the finish of the day, the fourth one’s the hardest to get,” Kraken ahead Yanni Gourde stated. “We all know that.”

Gourde and Morgan Geekie added objectives for the Kraken, who’ve scored first in all 5 video games. Philipp Grubauer stopped 26 photographs towards his former crew.

Nathan MacKinnon had a purpose and assisted on Evan Rodrigues’ purpose that made it 3-2 with 3:37 remaining. The Avalanche couldn’t tie it up with goaltender Alexandar Georgiev pulled for an additional skater. Georgiev additionally was on the bench for Rodrigues’ purpose.

The Kraken had been with out ahead Jared McCann, who was injured on a success from Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar in Sport 4. Makar might solely watch as he drew a one-game suspension from the league. Makar was final yr’s Conn Smythe Trophy winner because the playoff MVP.

Georgiev had 26 stops for Colorado.

“Nothing to lose now,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar stated of his crew’s mindset. “You don’t win, you go house.”

Kartye turned the eighth participant since 1927 to notch a purpose whereas making his NHL debut within the playoffs, in keeping with NHL Stats. Earlier than Kartye, the final to perform the feat was Makar in Sport 3 of a first-round collection in 2019.

The purpose by Kartye gave the Kraken a 2-1 lead within the second interval and got here moments after MacKinnon clipped skates with Will Borgen. MacKinnon was furious, too, and banged his stick on the glass because the Kraken headed down the ice. Jordan Eberle delivered a pinpoint move to Kartye, who made it a memorable night time.

Kartye, who turns 22 on Sunday, had 28 objectives and 29 assists this season with the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the AHL.

MacKinnon’s purpose within the second interval tied the sport at 1. He added an help for his 99th profession playoff factors. He’s now one away from becoming a member of Joe Sakic (188) and Peter Forsberg (159) as the one gamers in franchise historical past to register 100 postseason factors.

Geekie opened the scoring by knocking in a unfastened puck early within the second interval. It’s been fairly a stretch for Geekie, who missed Sport 3 to be together with his spouse for the beginning of their daughter.

“They’re a superb crew. They’re not going to again away simply,” Geekie stated of closing out the Avalanche. “Simply attempt to play the sport that we’ve been rising into and be strong on each ends of the rink.”

MISSING MCCANN

McCann didn’t make the journey with the crew. Lacking with him was management and a scoring risk (he had 40 objectives within the common season).

“It sucks that he’s out,” Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn stated. “However we don’t need that to be a distraction in our locker room.”

MISSING VAL

Avalanche ahead Valeri Nichushkin missed his third straight recreation for a private motive. Coach Jared Bednar had no updates however stated the crew has been in touch with Nichushkin. Bednar stated there wasn’t a authorized difficulty surrounding the absence of Nichushkin.

Nichushkin had 9 objectives and 15 factors in serving to the Avalanche to the Stanley Cup title final season.

THIS & THAT

The Avalanche proceed to wrestle on the ability play. They went 0 for two and drop to 1 for 12 within the collection. … D Josh Manson didn’t take a shift within the third interval.

What ESPN NHL analysts make of Seattle Kraken pushing Avs in playoffs