Beniers scores again for Kraken in win against Senators

SEATTLE -- Matty Beniers scored for the second straight game for the Seattle Kraken in a 4-2 win against the Ottawa Senators at Climate Pledge Arena on Monday.

Beniers, the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, has two goals and an assist in three NHL games since signing a three-year, entry-level contract April 10.
"He's been comfortable since his first shift," Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. "We didn't have any hard matchups tonight for him and his linemates. We had a couple of matchups we were looking more for the [Yanni Gourde] line. Matt and his linemates played pretty much against everybody. Gave him a little bit extra towards the end of the game and the D-zone, an extra half shift. Just a continuation of what he's done each night. He looks comfortable."

Vince Dunn had three assists, Victor Rask had a goal and an assist, and Chris Driedger made 12 saves for the Kraken (25-44-6).
"We skated and we had pretty good pressure everywhere," Hakstol said. "It almost seemed like we were a step quicker than they were most of the night, and that's when playing without the puck, That's important, and with the puck even more important. We made a couple of mistakes in the second period, and they took advantage of it. We made a couple of mistakes with the puck and that leads to pretty good opportunities for them."
Brady Tkachuk scored his 28th goal, and Anton Forsberg made 25 saves for the Senators (28-41-7), who were held to a season-low 14 shots.
"I just didn't think we played our game long enough," Ottawa defenseman Nick Holden said. "We had a few stretches where we played real fast, playing behind them, and scored some goals and had some success doing that, but I felt like we were turning too many pucks over and playing a little slow."
Daniel Sprong gave the Kraken a 1-0 lead at 4:36 of the first period on a one-timer from the left circle on a power-play after Rask found him with a cross-ice pass.
Sprong has four goals in 11 games since he was acquired in a trade with the Washington Capitals on March 21.
"Rask made a great play," Sprong said. "I've watched the greatest goal scorer [Alex Ovechkin] of all time for two years in that spot. I learned a lot from him over that time, which I'm very grateful for. He was really good to me, talking to me about things like that. I just know I've got to find that area, and then I know I've got to get that shot."

Senators forward Parker Kelly was assessed a double minor for high-sticking 2:41 into the first period and defenseman Travis Hamonic was penalized for roughing at 8:16.
"They played well. It's tough when you start out on the [penalty] kill," Senators forward Dylan Gambrell said. "It's tough to get the momentum early, and I think we just got a little behind with that, and then pushing in the second and third I thought just wasn't quite enough."
Tkachuk tied it 1-1 at 1:11 of the second period when he slid the puck between Driedger's legs. It was his fourth goal in the past five games.
Holden gave Ottawa a 2-1 lead at 3:15 on a wrist shot from the top of the left circle for his first goal in 28 games.
Beniers tied it 2-2 at 9:52 when he tipped a shot from Adam Larsson in the high slot between the circles.
"The Beniers goal is an important goal to make us feel good again and get us going in the right direction," Hakstol said.
Rask put Seattle ahead 3-2 at 16:15 when he got a cross-ice pass from Joonas Donskoi and beat Forsberg above his shoulder on the short side.

Karson Kuhlman appeared to give the Kraken a 4-2 lead at 13:57 of the third period but video review determined Yanni Gourde played the puck with a high stick and the goal was disallowed.
Jared McCann scored into an empty net at 18:49 for the 4-2 final.
NOTES: Senators forward Tim Stutzle had his personal eight-game point streak end (13 points; six goals, seven assists). … Forward Zach Senyshyn had three hits in 8:48 in his Senators debut after being recalled from Belleville of the American Hockey League on Sunday. He was acquired from the Boston Bruins in a trade for defenseman Josh Brown on March 21. … Ottawa had 18 shots in a 3-0 loss at the Florida Panthers on March 3. … The Senators play at the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. … Dunn has five assists in the past three games.