The Seattle Kraken delivered a commanding performance at a crucial juncture in the NHL season, defeating the Nashville Predators 4-1 on Thursday night. This victory extends their impressive point streak to six consecutive games, signaling their best form of the campaign.
Dominant First Period Sets the Tone
The match was effectively decided in a blistering first period by the Kraken. Matty Beniers opened the scoring early, finding the net at the 3:48 mark by redirecting a shot from Ryker Evans past Predators' goalie Juuse Saros. This early breakthrough set the pace for Seattle's offensive onslaught.
The lead was doubled by Jamie Oleksiak at 10:41, who fired a precise wrist shot into the top corner. In a stunning turn of events, Beniers struck again just ten seconds later, capitalising on a loose puck to make it 3-0. This three-goal burst within seven minutes left the Predators reeling and gave the Kraken a commanding lead they would not relinquish.
Predators Struggle to Mount a Comeback
Nashville, coming into the game with momentum from winning five of their last six, failed to recover from the early deficit. Their captain, Roman Josi, managed a power-play goal in the second period to cut the lead to 3-1, but it proved to be only a consolation. The Predators' offense, which had shown promise recently, was largely stifled by Seattle's structure and goaltending.
Predators coach Andrew Brunette was critical of his team's lacklustre effort, stating they had "a lot of passengers tonight." He acknowledged Seattle's greater desperation, calling it "unacceptable this time of year." Josi also pointed to the poor start as the primary reason for the loss, admitting the team needs to figure out their beginnings to games.
Kraken's Complete Team Effort Shines
The victory was a testament to a complete team performance from Seattle. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer was solid between the pipes, making 24 saves to backstop the win. The penalty kill unit also excelled, shutting down Nashville's early opportunities. Jared McCann sealed the 4-1 final score with an empty-net goal late in the third period.
With this win, Seattle's record improves to 17-14-7 for the season. Their current hot streak stands at an impressive 5-0-1 over the last six outings. Coach Lane Lambert praised his squad's all-around effort, highlighting contributions from throughout the lineup. This six-game point streak has provided a significant boost in the standings and built vital confidence as the team heads into a pivotal phase of the NHL season.
