Kraken Fall Flat Against Golden Knights

The Seattle Kraken’s early-season offensive momentum came to a screeching halt Tuesday night, as the Vegas Golden Knights capitalized on their opportunities in a 6-2 win at Climate Pledge Arena.

Seattle entered the matchup having scored 13 goals through its first three games, including back-to-back six-goal performances against Calgary. Against Vegas, however, the Kraken struggled to find the same offensive rhythm, generating shots and spending time in the offensive zone without consistently turning that pressure into dangerous scoring opportunities.

Kraken head coach Lane Lambert agreed that the game got away from the team. “I thought there were too many turnovers tonight in the neutral zone. You don’t get to decide whether you’re going to chip it or skate it, they do, depending on what their gaps are."

Vegas, meanwhile, made the most of its chances. Victor Olofsson opened the scoring for the Golden Knights 13:02 into the first period, with Tomas Hertl and Reilly Smith picking up assists. Hertl doubled Vegas’ advantage less than three minutes later, scoring on the power play with assists from Mark Stone and Jack Eichel.

The Golden Knights carried their two-goal advantage into the second period, where Stone added a shorthanded goal at 1:43 in a two-on-one situation against a stockless Montour. Eichel picked up the lone assist, giving Vegas goals on both sides of special teams early in the frame. 

“I think it tipped off my glove a little bit, but there’s two superstars on the other side of it, playing against me with no stick,” Montour said. “It’s a freak accident, your stick breaks and it’s unfortunate.” 

Olofsson scored his second of the night with 6:53 remaining in the second period, extending the lead to four. Eichel then added another goal with 31 seconds remaining in the period, scoring on a breakaway to send Vegas into the second intermission with a 5-0 advantage.

For Seattle, the deficit was a stark contrast to the offensive success the Kraken had found against Calgary. Seattle scored six goals in each of its two games against the Flames, including a 6-1 win in its home opener Sunday in which four players recorded multi-point performances.

The Kraken finally broke through early in the third period when Shane Wright scored at 4:52, with Kaapo Kakko and Cale Fleury assisting. The goal gave Seattle its first score of the night after the team had generated opportunities without finding the back of the net through the opening 40 minutes.

When asked about his goal postgame, Wright said, “I’m feeling good with my line mates, we’re playing with confidence. We have to play faster and transition quicker.”

Seattle added another goal on the power play when Jared McCann found the back of the net, giving the Kraken two goals in the third period and cutting further into Vegas’ lead.

Vegas’ advantage, however, remained too large to overcome as the Golden Knights continued to control the game. The loss marked a sharp reversal from Seattle’s offensive start to the season, as the Kraken were unable to sustain the dangerous pressure that had helped fuel their first three games.

The game also grew increasingly physical as the deficit mounted, with multiple fights breaking out during the third period as Seattle looked to push back against the Golden Knights.

Ahead of a face-off in the third period, Kraken alternate captain Brandon Montour and Vegas captain Mark Stone dropped the gloves. When asked about it postgame, Montour said, “He’s a heck of a player, his teammate goes down like that and he's expecting a 5-1 game. Maybe their leader will step in and protect his teammate and he didn’t so it was an opportunity to step in and get under his skin."

Despite the loss, Lambert touched on the team having a lot to learn from this game: “There are certain things that you can’t measure on the stat sheet. I liked our fight until the end, you can’t have a home game where you’re losing five-nothing in the third period. I’m proud of our team for coming out in the third period and continuing to battle right through to the bitter end.” 

Seattle will look to regroup and turn the page after a difficult night against a Vegas team that consistently capitalized on its opportunities.