Grubauer great, depth delivers in game one Kraken win over Avalanche
By Charles Hamaker
Denver, CO – Your Seattle Kraken, cast aside to begin this year and cast aside when it came to predictions for how this round one matchup against the defending Stanley Cup champions may turn out, marched into Ball Arena in Colorado and stunned the Avalanche. It wasn’t tough sledding for Seattle, who were able to jump ahead of the playoff jitters thanks to Eeli Tolvanen’s goal under four minutes into the opening frame. Although the Kraken got into some trouble when they allowed Avalanche forward Mikko Rantanen to skate freely and score backdoor while left unmarked, they didn’t let the goal get to them. Seattle goaltender Philipp Grubauer was marvelous, rejecting the flurries of pressure that his former team pelted him with.
Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer delivers a fish after the win over the Detroit Red Wings on February 18th (Photos by Liv Lyons)
The German Gentleman kindly denies you
Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer has been on the receiving end of endless criticism for fans through don’t watch the game itself, don’t understand it, or just look at the box score at the conclusion of the contest. Expectations were high for Grubauer and the Kraken alike, and while the circumstances weren’t ideal, neither “lived up” to them although the idea that the team would be a success in year was silly. Year two has seen a complete 180 for the team and Grubauer, who has been excellent for the Kraken since his return from injury back in the beginning of the 2023 calendar year. A rock for Seattle as net mate Martin Jones has seen his play decline as the year has gone on, Grubauer has been as originally advertised when he signed a lucrative deal in free agency for the 32nd franchise in the NHL.
“Yeah, it’s definitely a weird feeling coming back, but also, like, really familiar. Played with those guys in a couple of playoffs here, so it’s nice. There’s nothing better than playing against your old team in the playoffs.”
Following the goal by Rantanen that Seattle allowed, giving up easy and free real estate in the crease for an easy tapper, it could’ve been easy to think that things were going to flip on their head in the game. That didn’t happen, as Grubauer didn’t allow it to. The German Gentleman made save after save, iced the puck down when he needed to, and the defenseman pairings in front of him chipped in as well. Grubauer said no, or nein if we’re going with German, in several big moments and ended the game with a goals saved above expected of 2.73. If Grubauer hadn’t been up to the task like some have thought that he hasn’t, Seattle could not have won this game. But again, he is who they need in net and handled business as the brick wall the Kraken needed in net.
Seattle forward Eeli Tolvanen skates with the puck (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Seattle’s depth does dirty deeds to silence Colorado crowd
We’ve talked about it all year and it’s been a primary factor in why this team has reached this dance. The Kraken depth has done wonders for this team, after many scoffed at every player that Seattle took in their expansion draft. Most of the core of that 2021-22 team that many viewed as a disappointment remained on the roster, as the pieces of the puzzle to greater success remained but they needed a few more pillars and could use some reshuffling. While major free agent addition Andre Burakovsky begins this playoff run as unavailable for the team, the Kraken have made do as Burky missed the final 32 games of the regular season. Funny enough, the goal scorers in this game were two players that were on that inaugural roster and one that was picked up on a waiver claim this year.
Who would you have picked as the first ever skater to score a playoff goal in Kraken history? I doubt you would’ve picked Eeli Tolvanen (unless you’re our friend Ray, Hi Ray!!), the waiver pickup from Nashville that was incredibly mismanaged by the Predators brass. Tolvanen has renewed his love of the game in the city of Seattle with this team, and he’s been a key contributor across all 200 feet of the ice. Tolvanen helped the Kraken jump on a mistake by the Avalanche, a turnover behind the goal, and the Finnish skater whacked away. One shot, saved. Second shot, BINGO. The rebounded attempt beat Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, and Seattle was on the board. The goal let Colorado and the world know that the Kraken aren’t here just to participate and be happy about it. They punched the Avalanche in the mouth first and made sure that they stayed down.
The not-so secret formula to Seattle success avoids trouble on the slopes
This game epitomizes exactly how the Kraken have seen most of their success this season, and why they even reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the first place. The depth of this team, as the goals were scored by players who traditionally aren’t considered as stars outside of Seattle or don’t score a ton in general. Grubauer, as mentioned, has played well since 2023 began and he was exceptional tonight. Seattle’s penalty kill since January has been extremely efficient and they were able to make that impact felt tonight as they killed off two Colorado power plays. And a key part because for some reason everyone in America thought it was the all-determining factor, Seattle was able to lock down the top stars of the Avalanche.
All of those aspects, let alone in one game, is exactly what Kraken hockey in the 2022-23 season has been all about. It’s what has driven them forward, how they have bonded, and how they’ve won games. The Kraken don’t have the big-name superstar that’s gonna be featured on Sportscenter or any national media really, hell they failed to recognize Jared McCann’s 40-goal season on the national broadcast of this game. This Kraken team is the definition of a TEAM. They play as a cohesive unit, and it works well for them as we’ve seen throughout the course of the year. They especially do that on the road, and that helped them take game one. It’s a huge moment for the organization, but it’s just the first step forward on this hike up the mountain.
Quick notes
Eeli Tolvanen opened the scoring for the Kraken 3:26 into Game 1. It marked the sixth-fastest goal to start a franchise’s first playoff game behind Nashville (0:16 in 2004 CQF), Pittsburgh (1:05 in 1970 QF), Winnipeg (1:20 in 1982 DSF), Vegas (3:23 in 2018 R1) and Boston (3:24 in 1927 QF).
With Tolvanen’s goal, Seattle became just the fourth team in the past 20 years to open their scoring in their first-ever playoff game. Shea Theodore (Game 1 of 2018 R1 w/ VGK), Adam Hall (Game 1 of 2004 CQF w/ NSH) and Filip Kuba (Game 1 of 2003 CQF w/ MIN) all did so for their respective franchises.
It is his second career playoff goal, with his first also coming against the Avalanche on May 7, 2022.
The Kraken became the sixth road team to win this postseason, marking the third time at least six of eight Game 1s in the opening round were won by the visiting team (also 6 in 1991 Division Semifinals and 7 in 2003 Conference Quarterfinals).
Six franchises in the past 40 years have scored three or more goals in their first-ever postseason outing: Atlanta (3 in Game 1 of 2007 CQF), Minnesota (4 in Game 1 of 2003 CQF), Anaheim (4 in Game 1 of 1997 CQF), Florida (6 in Game 1 of 1996 CQF), Tampa Bay (3 in Game 1 of 1996 CQF) and San Jose (5 in Game 1 of 1994 CQF).
The Kraken became the first team in NHL history to win their first-ever playoff game against the reigning Stanley Cup champions.
Morgan Geekie’s third period goal is the first Stanley Cup Playoff goal of his career
Jamie Oleksiak earned the secondary assist on Alex Wennberg’s goal, marking his fourth career playoff point against Colorado.
No player on Seattle’s roster has more playoff points against the Avalanche.
What’s next?
The series remains in Colorado for game two, as the Kraken and Avalanche go back at it after a day “off.” The two Western Conference teams do battle again on Thursday, April 20th with a puck drop of 6:30PM PST for game two of the series. Seattle will need to continue to play like they did tonight, using their winning formula and getting that production from all four forward lines and three defenseman pairings. It’ll be interesting to see who the Kraken will put in net for game two, as Martin Jones ended the regular season with an undisclosed injury and Joey Daccord slotted in for him on an emergency basis. Regardless, Seattle must prepare for a heavy push from the Avalanche after they were stunned on their own ice and prior to the series flipping to Climate Pledge Arena for the next two games.