The Seattle Kraken made a stop in Columbus, Ohio Saturday night, to face the Blue Jackets. Seattle was coming off a big 4–3 win in Nashville Thursday, while the Blue Jackets were fresh off a season-opening 8–2 win Thursday, as well.
Fans that tuned in or showed up looking for large numbers of goals were probably disappointed, but there was plenty of action and excitement in this contest. Both goaltenders put on a show for fans.
On the outside, the first period might look like a bit of a snoozer. Shots were 6–5 in favor of Columbus, there were no power plays and no goals. The play was entertaining, though. One might expect some sloppy play from these two teams, but this was not the case.
In the second period, just as some might have started thinking the game might end up scoreless at the end of regulation, some life was injected into the game. Kraken wing (and unexpected team-leading goal scorer) Brandon Tanev surprised everyone once again with a highlight-reel goal. Tanev first eluded Blue Jackets center Oliver Bjorkstrand, who tried to cut him off. After gathering himself (and the puck), Tanev looked off his teammate, outwaited Elvis Merzlikins, and put a backhand shot into the back of the net.
Brandon Tanev with a BEAUTY! What a goal from Tanev for his third of the season, Kraken lead!#SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/yj2zyQ43yC
— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) October 17, 2021
Columbus played well in the second, as well, but Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer was stellar, including a really smooth stop on a Patrik Laine and the resulting rebound change by Zach Werenski. As the teams went into the second intermission, the Kraken held a slim 1–0 lead while Columbus held a 15–12 shot advantage.
The third period did not disappoint fans, either. Shots were 8–7 in favor of the home Blue Jackets, and they were finally able to solve Grubauer with just under 10 minutes remaining in regulation play. Columbus forward Eric Robinson got around Jeremy Lauzon and snapped a shot over Grubauer’s blocker to eventually send the game to overtime.
In the extra period, the action was great on either end of the ice, but a Kraken turnover ended up giving sniper Patrik Laine a redemption chance from the breakaway earlier in the game. This time, he reclaimed bragging rights, snapping a laser past Grubauer for the game-winner.
Anchor points:
⚓ Philipp Grubauer was absolutely outstanding. He deserves a better result and if he plays this way all season, he will be a Vezina trophy candidate once again,
⚓ Brandon Tanev has been everything we could ask from him. Physical presence, personable, and scoring machine. I would not expect an entire year of this, but let us enjoy it while it’s here. Fun in hockey is great for everyone.
⚓ I have always had players that drive me up a wall, and Jeremy Lauzon (35% Corsi) is earning that spot quickly. Just does not seem like an NHL defender.
⚓ Play was so even that 5v5 high danger chances (6–5 in favor of Columbus) were almost tied, as well.
⚓ Possession numbers pretty even for the entire game even though the team totals were 55.1% vs 44.9% in favor of Columbus. Jordan Eberle (55% Corsi), Ryan Donato (65% Corsi), Morgan Geekie (54% Corsi), Mark Giordano (53% Corsi), Jared McCann (50% Corsi), Jaden Schwartz (55% Corsi), Carson Soucy (55% Corsi), and Tanev (58.6% Corsi) all had promising possession metrics while Mason Appleton (17% Corsi), Alex Barre-Boulet (20% Corsi), Nathan Bastian (14% Corsi), and Riley Sheahan (17% Corsi) were crushed. Once again, though, shot heat maps show that Seattle mostly shot from the perimeter while their opponent focussed on shots in the lower slot.
⚓ The Kraken are off Sunday. They will face off Monday, in Philadelphia, against the Flyers. The puck drop is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT.