Despite recording more than twice the amount of shots on goal as the Kraken, the Carolina Hurricanes struggled to find the back of the net and fell 2-1, missing the chance to extend their 12-game point streak.
The Hurricanes (38-16-6) failed to take a lead against the Seattle Kraken (29-22-9), opening their four-game roadtrip with a loss. Carolina struggled to find its rhythm and didn’t gain traction until it was too late, leaving too much ground to make up.
After a shaky first period, neither team found the back of the net until regrouping and returning to the ice in the second.
Wasting no time, the Kraken took advantage of a turnover in its defensive zone and countered the attack on the Canes. Winger Kaapo Kakko skated the puck deep into the zone alongside his linemate and made the selfish decision to take the shot, placing it directly underneath the arm of the goalie, putting his team on the board.
It got out of hand just minutes after the Kraken had their second goal called back due to offsides, and Seattle put up a fight to get it back. Receiving a pass from the top of the zone, center Ben Meyers let one fly towards the net. Goaltender Frederik Andersen, shifting into position, kicked the puck a few feet out, back into the stick of Meyers. Following up his shot, Meyers flicked the puck over Andersen’s pads and tallied the game-winning goal.
With 90 seconds left in the second period, the Canes were finally putting pressure on the Kraken and keeping it in their offensive zone. Winger Jordan Martinook fought for possession of the puck below the goal line and flicked it into play for winger Nikolaj Ehlers to scoop up. Making a move around the defenseman, Ehlers sent a wrist shot into the back of the net, preventing the Canes from being shut out.
“I’m just trying to make a play there at the blue line,” Ehlers said. “Luckily, [Walker] was able to get it down deep, and [Martinook] was trying to get it to the net. Luckily, it got right to me, and I just tried to get it off as quickly as possible.”
The discipline from Seattle made it nearly impossible for Carolina to create quality chances in their offensive zone. The Canes went until the 1:29 mark in regulation without drawing a penalty, leaving them without a power-play opportunity until late in the game. Even with the man advantage, the Kraken held their defense tight, leaving no openings for the Canes to break through.
In contrast, Seattle drew three penalties, giving the Kraken multiple opportunities to capitalize on the power play. The Canes finished the game with 36 shots, compared to 15 from Seattle.
“We’re playing a really good game,” Ehlers said. “We just make some unnecessary mistakes, and they’re able to score on those, so we have to stop making those mistakes.”
The Hurricanes continue their road trip in Vancouver and take on the Canucks on Wednesday, March 4, with a 10 p.m. puck drop.
