As the Seattle Kraken appeared to have put together a winning streak at home, they hit the road to face the buzz saw Edmonton Oilers in Edmonton on Monday night. Based on the Oilers’ goaltending depth, it would appear that Seattle was not going to get “out-goalied” once again, but Mikko Koskinen had other ideas.
It has become commonplace for the Kraken to either score or give one up fairly early on in their games. This game was no different. The score was 2–1 in favor of the Oilers just over six minutes after puck drop. Both Edmonton goals were at the hands of Oilers star forward Leon Draisaitl, while Kraken veteran forward Jaden Schwartz scored an exciting end-to-end goal of his own sandwiched between Draisaitl’s markers.
Jaden “end-to-end” Schwartz. 😲🚨#NHLOnSN pic.twitter.com/rsZxyo57Gs
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 2, 2021
That said, Seattle only gave up four shots on goaltender Joey Daccord in the first period, while sending six shots at Koskinen. It almost seemed like Head Coach Dave Hakstol knew he could not slow down the Oilers stars, so he sacrificed Daccord at the altar of Draisaitl.
It was much of the same in the second period, with Seattle outshooting Edmonton 14–8. Longtime Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith scored his first goal as an Oiler, while Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy scored his second of the year late in the period. As the horn for the second intermission sounded, the Kraken were leading in shots 20–12 but down 3–2 on the scoreboard.
Carson Soucy with all the heat on that rip. pic.twitter.com/6Ha3KGWTwh
— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2021
The Kraken were still in the game, though, at the intermission.
Unfortunately, the wheels fell off the cart in the third period. Daccord gave up two more Oilers goals, which put the game out of reach with over seven minutes still to play. Edmonton forwards Kyle Turris and Kailer Yamamoto seemed to eat Daccord up in close, which was a theme on the night.
Anchor points
⚓ The Kraken power play has continued to fail them again and again. They had two second period opportunities to tie the game and failed. Edmonton went one for three on their opportunities, which is actually less than their ridiculous season average of 46.2%. As good as the Kraken penalty kill is, Edmonton’s world-class power play is going to score at least one. If Seattle could just match that, the game could have had a different outcome.
⚓ Not that Daccord had a chance, but the Kraken needed better goaltending when the game was still early. Three goals on 12 Oilers shots is simply not adequate.
⚓ For the second game in a row, the Kraken led their opponent in most relevant possession numbers. They led 57%–43% in Corsi (shot attempts) and 60%–40% in Fenwick (unblocked shots). They also had more high danger chances (14–11) and had an expected goals percentage of 56%. The numbers were there, but they could not get a save.
⚓ Defenseman Adam Larsson had an awful night against his former team, with a team-low 33% 5-on-5 Corsi.
⚓ The Kraken are back home on Thursday to face the Buffalo Sabres. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT.