Kraken dismantle Bluejackets in 3-1 victory to head into All-Star break on a high note
By Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA – To close out a five-game homestand and send themselves into the All-Star break positively, the Seattle Kraken were able to dictate play nearly all night long against the Columbus Blue Jackets. While it wasn’t a blowout effort like we have seen this Kraken team be capable of, Seattle hardly ever looked like they were challenged and had their way in the offensive zone. A turnover in the neutral zone gave Columbus their only goal, but otherwise Seattle controlled this contest all the way through. With the win, the Kraken will head into the All-Star break as the top team in the Pacific Division without any tie breakers. An incredible spot to be in, as this team has seen a major turnaround from year one.
Seattle’s Alexander Wennberg was playing in his 600th career NHL game (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Alex Wennberg: Mr. 600
Kraken forward Alexander Wennberg, playing in the 600th NHL game of his career, has been a key part to this homestand for Seattle. Impacting the game on both ends of the ice, Wennberg has had his name all over the stat sheet in every single game of the homestand. Although his scoring production isn’t the biggest part of his game, Wennberg was able to make his 600th career game just a bit sweeter as he scored the second Kraken goal of the night. Seattle had kept Columbus hemmed into their own zone, cycled the puck around, and it was Jordan Eberle passing to a wide-open Wennberg in the crease for the score.
Wennberg has oft drawn criticism for not shooting the puck as often as he perhaps should, which is something he could work on. But, his offensive play isn’t the only reason that he is valuable to this Kraken team. Wennberg’s play on the defensive end of the ice for Seattle has been a key factor, notching numerous takeaways and blocks throughout the course of the homestand. Another factor in the success that the Kraken have seen this season not only includes their depth, but also the effort that the forwards have put in on the defensive end, and Wennberg is a key example of that. Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol spoke about Wennberg’s goal postgame with the media.
“We found a play inside, we had some really good looks inside tonight and that one, we finished off the play. It was an important goal in the hockey game, nice to see Wenny get a little momentum offensively.”
Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer recorded a save percentage of .960 on the night (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Goaltending remains steady
Seattle’s goaltending has been an interesting case all year, with two differing stories taking place throughout the course of this season. Martin Jones, the veteran signed as a placeholder while Chris Driedger healed, has played far better than expected an solidly overall behind improved defensive play. Philipp Grubauer had a rocky start to the season, got injured in a game that he was playing well against his former team, and since returning has been excellent in net despite not getting the best efforts from his defense. Overall, any notion that goaltending has been a primary issue for Seattle is wrong and has been perpetuated by media that doesn’t know what is actually happening.
Philipp Grubauer played another solid game tonight, but one that started off relatively quietly which can be tough for a goaltender. The Kraken were able to keep their defensive zone quiet and clean for the larger part of the first 40 minutes, with the exception of a turnover in the neutral zone. Seattle got caught in a three on two situation, and Columbus’ Kent Johnson had plenty of room to fire away, beating Grubauer top shelf. After the second intermission, the Blue Jackets put the pressure on Grubauer, who was able to calmly make numerous tough saves to maintain Seattle’s lead including a mad scramble in the final minute to cover a chipped puck. Bottom line, goaltending has not been a big issue this year for the Kraken. Both goaltenders have played well and have been victims of poor defensively play in certain games. Any idea that they need better goaltending or that either goaltender is bad is wrong and uninformed. Interestingly enough, one of Grubauer’s critics, Seattle head coach Dave Hakstol made it a point to state his confidence in his goaltending, postgame.
“We’ve quietly felt that way all year. I don’t care what the outside world thinks or believes or wants to talk about. Our two guys have done a good job. Grubi again tonight, his performance was a little undercover. If you look at that second period and the quality of opportunities Columbus had, that was a key point for me for our goaltender. He did a great job in that period... the second period was a critical time where he was there for his teammates”
Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen brings the puck into the offensive zone (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Many hands make light work
Seattle’s story of getting contributions from all over their four forward lines continued in tonight’s matchup, as two unheralded skaters helped start the night offensively for the Kraken, as well as solidify the result. Morgan Geekie, a player that’s seen his playing time fluctuate throughout the season, lit the lamp first for Seattle as his wrist shot in stride was able to beat Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. Geekie only recorded four total shots, but two of them were of notable caliber, obviously including his goal. The second shot came in the third period, a shot that whizzed past Merzlikins but squarely hit off of a pipe on the goal. Geekie has to battle night in and night out to make his case for a contract, especially with the next player that we mention playing like he is, but efforts like this game will have him heading in the right direction. Geekie discussed his own play and value postgame, with the media.
“It’s been three months (since I’ve scored). I’ve had chances, it’s not really something I’m worried about. It’s not my role here, we have guys who score goals and I know it’s not something I am looked upon to do. Mentally, it was nice to see it go in for sure, especially going into the break for me. It’s been a tough couple weeks for me... I know I can play, I’m a pretty confident person. That’s kinda just the way it is right now, we have a great lineup. If I’m out, I’m out. I know I can play a big role, when I’m called upon I can fill the void. With Matty out, someone needed to step up and I know I can be that guy.”
Morgan Geekie chipped in well tonight for Seattle, with top ice time for the Kraken (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Eeli Tolvanen, a player claimed off of waivers just a few short weeks ago, took advantage of a turnover and was able to use his nasty release on a wrist shot in the slot to beat Merzlikins. The score meant that Tolvanen has a three-game goal streak, continuing to display his efforts and impact on this Kraken roster. The depth continues to show for Seattle, just as we discussed with Geekie earlier. With Tolvanen, as we stated in our player piece on him, his excellent shot is not the only value and impact that he adds to the Seattle roster. Tolvanen’s effort to block shots and get involved in the defensive zone have made him increasingly important to this team that hardly ever seemed to make those selfless sorts of plays earlier in the season. It’s clear that Tolvanen has carved his way into the lineup and solidified his spot. Teammate Alex Wennberg and head coach Dave Hakstol discussed Tolvanen’s impact on the team postgame, with the media.
“He’s had a hell of an impact. That line has really been playing well, he’s also been scoring big goals. I feel like the goal today was a game changer. We got a little bit of breathing room right there, and he’s just that kind of player. If you give him one chance, he has that shot. He’s been really good for this team and we really like having him.”
“He’s a good hockey player, he does more than score. He’s got some defensive DNA to him, a good stick, he blocks shots. The defensive part of his game is something that I’m learning, I didn’t really know that about his game”
Eeli Tolvanen is hugged by linemates Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde after his goal (Photo by Liv Lyons)
Quick notes
Tonight marks the Kraken's first franchise win against the Blue Jackets. There are only two teams that remain that Seattle has not yet defeated, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. The Kraken play the Flyers in their first home game after the All-Star Break.
With tonight's win, the Kraken have a 3-1-0 record in the second game of back-to-back sets this season. They will play four more this season.
With their victory over the Blue Jackets, the Kraken now sit atop the Pacific Division with 63 points.
After going 2-for-2 on the penalty kill tonight, the Kraken have set a franchise record for consecutive games without allowing a power-play goal. The Kraken have not allowed a power-play goal for seven consecutive games, going a perfect 17-for-17 during that span.
As of tonight, the Kraken are one of two teams (Washington) to remain perfect on the penalty kill since Jan. 16, the start of the Kraken’s streak.
Tonight marks Alex Wennberg's 600th NHL game. He becomes the eighth skater from the 2013 NHL Draft class and the 23rd active, Swedish player to play in 600 career games.
With tonight's goal, the former Blue Jacket has totaled 291 points (78 goals, 213 assists) in 600 games. He has played in 129 games for the Kraken, 56 games for the Florida Panthers and 415 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jared McCann's second-period assist on Wennberg's goal gives him eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last eight games played.
With his third-period goal, Eeli Tolvanen extends his goal streak to three games.
Since making his Kraken debut on Jan. 1, 2023, he has totaled ten points (eight goals, two assists) in 15 games. During that span, his eight goals lead the team, surpassing Jared McCann's seven goals in the same span.
With his assist on Wennberg's goal, Jordan Eberle has four assists in his last four games against Columbus. He now has 26 career points (nine goals, 17 assists) against the Blue Jackets in 31 games played.
With his assist on Geekie's goal, Brandon Tanev now has points (one goal, two assists) in three consecutive games against the Blue Jackets.
Tonight’s game marked Oliver Bjorkstrand’s first against his former team since being traded from Columbus to Seattle during the 2022 offseason. His assist marks his first-career point against the Blue Jackets.
Jared McCann looks to move the puck up the boards (Photo by Liv Lyons)
What’s next?
The Kraken will now head into the All-Star break, not playing a game until February 7th on the road. Kraken forward Matty Beniers was selected to the All-Star festivities, but it’s unclear whether he will participate or not due to the head injury he suffered against Vancouver. Seattle’s next contest is on February 7th against the New York Islanders with a puck drop of 4:30PM PST, as the Kraken kick off a five-game road trip. That road trip is another tough one, as Seattle will face good Islanders, Devils, Rangers, and Jets teams. The Kraken are hoping to come out of the road trip healthier than they were to end this game, with Matty Beniers, Jaden Schwartz, and Justin Schultz all missing numerous games throughout the past homestand.