SEATTLE — Carl Grundstrom emerged as the hero in the ninth round of the shootout, securing a 3-2 victory for the Los Angeles Kings against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday. The win ended the Kings’ three-game losing streak and provided a much-needed boost to the team.
Anze Kopitar and Trevor Moore were the scorers in regulation for the Kings (17-6-4), with goaltender Cam Talbot making 17 saves. The Kraken (10-14-8), despite goals from Oliver Bjorkstrand and Adam Larsson and a strong 36-save performance by Joey Daccord, missed the chance to secure their first three-game winning streak of the season.
“It was a big game for us,” said Los Angeles center Phillip Danault, acknowledging the team’s need to bounce back from their recent slump.
Bjorkstrand’s late third-period goal tied the game at 2-2, forcing the shootout after a strong push by the Kraken. “We worked really hard getting back in that game,” Seattle center Yanni Gourde said.
Larsson’s first-period goal opened the scoring for Seattle, marking his 300th consecutive NHL game. Moore’s goal tied the game for the Kings, who later took the lead through Kopitar’s power-play goal in the second period.
Kings coach Todd McLellan expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, saying, “I thought tonight we deserved to win. We played a good, solid game.”
Tomas Tatar made his debut for the Kraken after being acquired from the Colorado Avalanche, contributing solid minutes according to Seattle coach Dave Hakstol. “He makes a lot of little plays out there that might go unnoticed,” Hakstol noted.
NOTES:
- The Kings capitalized on one of their four power-play opportunities, while the Kraken scored once in two power-play chances.
- Kopitar extended his point streak to three games, contributing two goals and an assist during that span.
- Seattle defenseman Ryker Evans is on a three-game point streak with four assists.
- Vince Dunn recorded his third assist in as many games with the secondary assist on Larsson’s goal.
- Talbot has recorded three wins in his last five starts for the Kings.
With this victory, the Kings will look to maintain their momentum, while the Kraken aim to regroup and find more consistency in their upcoming NHL fixtures.
