Stumbling Kraken can’t capitalize on opportunities against Maple Leafs as losing streak pushes to four
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – Against a potentially tired Toronto Maple Leafs lineup, playing in the second game of a back-to-back, it might’ve been somewhat easier of a task for the Seattle Kraken to get back into the win column to snap their current skid. That wasn’t the case, as the Kraken failed to make the most out of the space that the Maple Leafs left them and instead it was Toronto who jumped on mistakes by Seattle for a 3-1 result in favor of the Canadian team. With a lineup dealing with its own troubles (Injuries, illness), the Kraken once again had to test their depth and versatility as lines and pairings saw movement. Joey Daccord did his part in net, getting hung out to dry on the two goals scored against him with the Maple Leafs adding an empty netter to close the door, but he couldn’t get more than a goal of support for his efforts. With four games leading into the all-star break left, Seattle seeks to turn the corner and get a good bill of health in the coming days.
Seattle Kraken defenseman Brian Dumoulin found his son, Brayden, and wife Kayla during warmups and had a nice moment with them. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
Maple Leafs take advantage of Kraken mistakes
There were more than a few fireworks to kick this game off, whether it was related to the actual play of the game or not. Although, as previously mentioned, the Maple Leafs were leaving plenty in their defensive zone for the Kraken to be able to take advantage of, it was Toronto who got on the board first. Superstar Auston Matthews had a golden opportunity sent to him right in front of the crease, receiving a pass from Mitch Marner in the trapezoid that found him coming down the slot. Matthews put on a show, sending the puck through his own legs before backhanding it past Joey Daccord to open the scoring. Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson had been looking to send the puck around the boards to try and help Seattle get the puck out of their own zone, but Marner was there and ready to retrieve the puck and make Ryker Evans pay, as the young defenseman had aggressively tried to join the play.
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, one of the top players in the NHL, scored the first goal of the game in the first period. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
The other aspect of the early fireworks in this game also came in the first period, as Seattle forward Brandon Tanev was sent into the boards on a bad hit by Toronto’s Conor Timmins. Tanev was understandably furious with the hit that dangerously sent him crashing into the end boards, and a scuffle broke out. Seattle was unable to make it count on the resulting power play that they received, with Tanev being the focus of Toronto’s seemingly notable plan to go after him which resulted in another fight. All that fun and feisty play in the first period seemed to be going in favor of Toronto but make no mistake about it: there was plenty of opportunity for Seattle to find their way onto the scoreboard, but the Kraken weren’t making it count just yet.
This contest between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Seattle Kraken was a physical contest throughout, starting out with some festivities between Brandon Tanev of Seattle and Simon Benoit of Toronto. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
Before Seattle could do anything about it, the Maple Leafs doubled their advantage just shortly after a power play of theirs had expired. Toronto had gone on the man advantage early into the middle frame thanks to a Jamie Oleksiak hooking call, but Joey Daccord was able to deny multiple opportunities that included the dangerous shot of Auston Matthews. The Seattle penalty kill was able to ward off the rest of the attempts in that span of two minutes, but Toronto got on the board shortly after that power play had ended. The Maple Leafs had gone back into their own zone to reset things but found the lapse in Seattle’s skaters that they wanted to take advantage of. Toronto was able to get a three-on-two opportunity Tyler Bertuzzi find Maxi Domi, who was able to set up Nicholas Robertson back door to power home the team's second goal of the night. Robertson was all alone on the back door, leaving no real chance for Daccord to make a stop.
An injection of life from Jordan Eberle, but nothing more
Down by two goals now and with a lineup that was down to its depth, Seattle needed some sort of injection of life if they were going to mount a comeback to snap their losing skid. Following the Robertson goal, the Kraken were finding some form of success driving to the net and getting bodies out in front to potentially screen Samsonov, but the Toronto goaltender was playing well above his numbers this season and was keeping the donut on the board. That changed with around six minutes left in the second period, as the only line that had stayed together this game amongst all the changes was keeping the puck in the Maple Leafs zone. Tomas Tatar sent a shot on net with Jared McCann screening in front of the crease, with the rebound landing right in front of McCann. Seattle forward Jordan Eberle had been following the play and was ready to take the puck from his teammate, still screening Samsonov, and get around to pot the team's first and only goal of this game.
The Seattle Kraken celebrate Jordan Eberle’s second period goal, the only score the team could muster in this loss. (Photo by Rio Giancarlo)
While there was some semblance of a push by the Kraken following Eberle’s goal to get a second one and tie this game up, Seattle continued to come up just short for a few reasons. The shots weren’t good enough, they weren’t able to take care of the rebounds that they were able to generate with traffic out in front, and Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov played arguably his best game of the season to repeatedly rob the Kraken of that second goal. After their unsuccessful push, Seattle struggled so much to be able to get more offensive generation that they went 13 whole minutes between shots on goal. That failure to create much of anything with the puck ultimately led to their pulling of the goalie for a sixth skater late, and Toronto’s empty net goal was the final nail in the coffin for this contest.
"Easier” days are coming, but Seattle must make it count
This wasn’t going to be an easy game for the Kraken, in multiple ways. Whether it’s the top end talent that the Maple Leafs possess, even with the fact that this game was the second contest of a back-to-back, and the injuries/illness/suspension that Seattle is currently dealing with that affect its own roster. The losses of Matty Beniers, Vince Dunn, and Yanni Gourde are big for this team in multiple areas of their own game, and it showed to an extent in this contest. The Kraken did have a relatively solid game, and if a few different pucks went in their favor, then they at very least go to overtime and pick up a single point in the standings, but it was a few mistakes that ultimately changed that. The depth of this team was tested, and it somewhat held its own, keeping this game within striking distance (much of that was thanks to Joey Daccord) throughout much of the contest. There are “easier” games ahead in this homestand and to close things out ahead of the All-Star break, but Seattle still must put the work in if they’re going to snap their current skid and get back to the winning success they found at the end of 2023 and into early 2024.
Following their 3-1 victory at Climate Pledge Arena over the Seattle Kraken, the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate with goaltender Ilya Samsonov. (Photos by Rio Giancarlo)
Quick notes
With his goal tonight, Jordan Eberle has recorded five points (three goals, two assists) in his last five games played.
Eberle has 28 points (13 goals, 15 assists) in 25 career games against Toronto.
With the assist on Eberle's goal, Jared McCann now has eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last six games dating back to Jan. 11 at Washington.
McCann has nine points (five goals, four assists) in his last nine games against the Maple Leafs.
Eberle and Tomas Tatar have played 167:12 together at 5-on-5 since Tatar was acquired from Colorado on Dec. 15. When the duo has been on the ice at 5-on-5 during that span, the Kraken have outscored their opponents 10-1 according to Natural Stat Trick.
Adam Larsson's five blocked shots tonight are just one shy of his single-game high this season which he set on Oct. 12.
What’s next?
Following tonight’s defeat against the Toronto Maple Leafs to begin a four-game homestand, the Seattle Kraken will look to snap their four-game losing streak on Wednesday, January 24th when the Chicago Blackhawks come to town. A Chicago team that features a few former Kraken players (Ryan Donato, Colin Blackwell, and Jaycob Megna) will battle Seattle at Climate Pledge Arena that day with a 7PM PST puck drop while being broadcast nationally on TNT and MAX. Chicago, sitting in last place in the Central division, has struggled all season and that includes winning only three of their last twelve games. With two days “off” before that game (One legitimately away from the rink and the other at practice), the Kraken will be hoping to get reinforcements back in some way, shape, form.
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Cover photo and other photos in this article by Rio Giancarlo
Check out our previous articles with writing by Charles Hamaker here