Caught star gazing: Undisciplined Kraken drop game two to Stars, sending the series back to Seattle even
By Charles Hamaker
Dallas, TX – In similar fashion to the first round series against the Colorado Avalanche, the Seattle Kraken leave the first two games of the series with an even split. Although the split aspect was like round one, the result of this game was more like game six against the Avalanche as Seattle was never able to get truly going. While the Stars were only able to force three power plays, it came amidst Dallas generating an intense and sometimes overwhelming amount of pressure. Seattle was unable to help goaltender Philipp Grubauer and were only able to get a snipe of a goal from rookie Tye Kartye and a nifty Jordan Eberle score in the dying minutes of the contest. While the result is frustrating, leaving Texas with a series split is a more than solid result.
First frame frantic once again, but in a different way
The first period of game two was again a very frantic and thrilling one, but not in the way that game one was with the six goals that were scored between the two teams. Once again in this Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Kraken were on their heels as their opposition brought the fight to them and put eleven shots on Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer. The Kraken were able to generate little to nothing in terms of chances while Grubauer did what he could in between the pipes, and somehow the first 20 minutes of the game remained scoreless and there was hope that Seattle was going to be able to figure things out in the locker room. Unfortunately, that first frame set the tone for what was going to transpire the rest of the way in game two.
Stars take advantage of lack of discipline
The Dallas Stars drew three power plays out of the Kraken tonight, only scoring on one of them, but the man advantage came at a critical time in the game and helped to further wear out Seattle’s game. As mentioned, the ice was titled in Dallas’ favor from the first frame and things were getting dangerous in the second in terms of their attack. The first goal of the night came just seconds off the first Stars power play of the night, as we had just gotten back to even strength when Dallas’ Colin Miller flung the puck at the net and Philipp Grubauer made the save off his chest, and the rebound came out in front of the crease. The Stars had two skaters in Seattle’s crease, and Adam Larsson couldn’t deal with both of them. Dallas rookie Wyatt Johnston put home the rebound to get Dallas on the board and open the flood gates.
A depiction of the teams respective scoring chances throughout the game, thanks to Moneypuck.com
Tye brings hope
Rookie forward Tye Kartye, AHL rookie of the year, did his part for the Kraken in this game and in doing so scored the first goal of the game for Seattle. In terms of grading, Kartye was actually rated as the best in terms of value for the Kraken in this game and was able to bring his team some hope after Dallas’ second goal of the night seemed to start closing the door on Seattle. The Stars had just scored on Evgenii Dadonov’s wrap around, and their offensive pressure was heating up like the sun and were seemingly running away with things. The work of Seattle’s backcheck got the puck to defenseman Vince Dunn, sending it up the ice for Kartye who was able to get a clean entry and the forward was able to create space by faking a pass to get an undeterred shot that beat Oettinger near top corner and gave the Kraken some hope. That hope wouldn’t last long thanks to Seattle’s undisciplined play, but it was a big moment for the rookie as he scored the second goal of his young career in the NHL, both coming in the postseason.
Leaving the lone star state with a split
Following these first two games of the series, the Kraken are getting on the plane home having taken one of those two games. As previously stated, it’s more than okay to come away from this Stars teams building with that result, but it’s also okay to be upset at the way the team played tonight. Both of those things can be true, and you don’t have to feel only one of those two things. Firstly, credit the Dallas Stars. This is a team that’s deep like Seattle is and has a goaltender in Jake Oettinger that’s incredible normally but especially in the postseason. Secondly, the team didn’t generate enough offensively to take some of the pressure off their goaltender, and they cannot happen in a game that the Kraken want to win in. Third, and the one that gets me the most, you cannot afford to give this Dallas team free power plays with stupid decisions especially when the Stars offense is humming.
Thankfully, it’s obvious what needs to be addressed moving forward and it won’t require a whole lesson when the team looks to adjust ahead of game three. Don’t panic or pull the alarm, the Kraken are still very much in this series and aren’t just happy to be here in the second round, let alone in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They belong here and can dance with anybody but can’t hold themselves back. In an encouraging note, rookie forward Tye Kartye performed well again and has never looked out of place in the national. It’s entirely possible that he could challenge for a roster spot with the team next season, at least if we’re going off his performance since effectively taking Jared McCanns spot in the lineup.
What’s next?
The series now comes back to Climate Pledge Arena for two games before a now guaranteed game five back in Dallas. The Kraken have proven that they can handle business against this Stars team, but they must remain disciplined and generate more pressure against Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger. Game three of this series, the next contest, is on Sunday, May 7th with a puck drop time of 6:30PM PST and the game being broadcast on TBS. Game four of the series is on Tuesday, May 9th with the same puck drop time of 6:30PM PST and being broadcast on ESPN. It is unlikely that Seattle will be getting forward Jared McCann back for these games at home, as he wasn’t with the team in Dallas at all and there have been no updates on his status.