Seattle Kraken win 3-2 on Eberle’s OT goal, even series with Avs

SEATTLE (AP) — As one of many originals from the tough Seattle Kraken opening season, Jordan Eberle discovered himself joking with a few of his teammates of Recreation 4 in opposition to the defending Stanley Cup champions of being the largest recreation so far within the temporary historical past of the Kraken.

It’ll perpetually be memorable for the Kraken. First time beyond regulation playoff recreation. First time beyond regulation playoff win. And an unexpectedly tied collection headed again to Denver.

Eberle scored on the ability play 3 minutes into time beyond regulation and the Seattle Kraken beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on Monday evening to even their best-of-7 collection at 2-2.

Seattle Kraken 3, Colorado Avalanche 2: Stats

Eberle collected a deflection and buried his first aim of the playoffs previous Colorado goalie Alexandar Georgiev. Seattle was on the ability play after Josh Manson was referred to as for tripping on Jaden Schwartz on a breakaway try within the opening moments of OT.

“We’ve been sort of the underdog from day one and we’re simply making an attempt to combat again on this collection,” Eberle stated. “We nonetheless have a variety of work forward of us.”

Seattle’s first playoff time beyond regulation victory ensured there can be not less than another recreation performed at house this season for the Kraken.

However the Kraken shall be shorthanded for Recreation 5 after Seattle coach Dave Hakstol stated main scorer Jared McCann received’t play in Denver. McCann was injured on a questionable hit from Colorado’s Cale Makar halfway via the primary interval.

“Late hit, actually late, no puck in play. Our 40-goal scorer not accessible for the remainder of the sport and isn’t going to be accessible going ahead right here,” Hakstol stated.

Will Borgen and Daniel Sprong scored within the first interval to provide Seattle a 2-0 lead.

Mikko Rantanen scored twice within the second interval for Colorado to drag even.

Rantanen now has 5 targets in 4 video games, however the remainder of Colorado’s stars had been held in verify.

“You knew it was going to be harder and harder because the collection goes on. House goes to be much less accessible, and it’s important to go earn each inch of ice,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar stated. “We didn’t do a ok job early within the hockey recreation taking good care of our facet of the ice.”

Seattle dominated play within the offensive zone a lot of the evening, outshooting Colorado 43-22. However after taking a 2-0 lead, the Kraken had been unable to increase their benefit thanks largely to Georgiev. Colorado’s goalie made 39 saves and stored the Avalanche from getting overrun within the first interval.

However within the further session, Manson’s penalty at 1:59 supplied the Kraken an opportunity to finish their time beyond regulation debut shortly. Schwartz had his shot in entrance of the web blocked, however it fell to Eberle’s stick and he didn’t miss the open web after being held in verify for a lot of the collection.

“It occurred quick. I can’t actually keep in mind earlier than that however it was clearly actually thrilling,” Schwartz stated.

Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer made 20 saves and got here via when wanted within the third interval with a few key stops to disclaim Colorado a comeback victory.

For the second time within the collection, Seattle was unable to make a 2-0 first-period lead stand.

Rantanen scored his first on a three-on-two rush that was arrange by Nathan MacKinnon. His second got here within the dying seconds of Colorado’s first energy play of the sport, snapping a shot via a display screen and previous Grubauer with 2 seconds remaining on the man-advantage. It was Colorado’s first power-play aim in 15 possibilities in opposition to Seattle, common and postseason mixed.

INJURIES

McCann was harm on a short-handed try halfway via the primary interval. The shot was saved by Georgiev and appeared to enter the netting behind the aim. McCann didn’t appear prepared for the hit by Makar.

Avs’ Makar turns into Seattle Kraken playoff villain with nasty hit on McCann

McCann was down on the ice for a number of minutes earlier than being helped to the bench and headed straight again to the Seattle locker room.

Makar was initially given a 5-minute main penalty however it was decreased to a 2-minute minor.

Makar stated it was “unlucky,” and hoped McCann was OK.

“It was a hockey play. I’m assuming he was going to the nook as a result of it was coming down. I didn’t actually look. Simply unlucky how that occurred,” Makar stated.

FIRST ON THE BOARD

Seattle grew to become the second workforce in playoff historical past to attain first in every of its first 4 video games. The 1918 Toronto Arenas – precursor to the Maple Leafs – scored first in each video games of the NHL last in opposition to Montreal, then obtained the opening aim in every of the primary three video games of the best-of-5 Stanley Cup Closing in opposition to the Vancouver Millionaires.

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