LOS ANGELES – The Seattle Kraken secured a narrow 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday, largely thanks to an outstanding performance by goalie Joey Daccord. Daccord’s 42 saves, including a crucial 20 in the first period, tied the Kraken record for saves in a game and were instrumental in their win.
Daccord, who had previously stopped 42 shots in an overtime loss against the Carolina Hurricanes, expressed his comfort with the high shot volume, noting it helped him settle into the game. The Kraken, with this victory, extended their point streak to five games (3-0-2), showcasing a resurgence in form despite a season of ups and downs.
Brandon Tanev and Jordan Eberle were the scorers for the Kraken. Tanev’s goal came early in the second period after a face-off win by Alex Wennberg. Tanev, seizing the opportunity, scored on his own rebound, capitalizing on a momentary lapse by Kings defenseman Jordan Spence. Eberle extended the lead in the third period with a wrist shot from the slot, breaking his 13-game goal drought since November 20.
The Kings, meanwhile, saw a short-handed goal from Blake Lizotte, bringing the score to 2-1. Despite their efforts and Cam Talbot’s 28 saves, the Kings struggled to capitalize on their chances. Coach Todd McLellan acknowledged the team’s failure to effectively challenge Daccord, especially in close-quarters situations.
A key moment in the match was Daccord’s save on Matt Roy’s attempt during a 2-on-1 rush in the final seconds of the first period. Tanev praised Daccord’s performance, highlighting his crucial role in keeping the team competitive. Despite being outshot 20-8 in the first period, the Kraken maintained composure and seized control as the game progressed.
Lizotte’s goal, a result of a mishandled puck by Seattle defenseman Justin Schultz, provided a tense finish, but Daccord humorously reflected on the sequence that denied him a potential shutout.
The Kings struggled on their power play, failing to convert despite four opportunities, including a critical chance late in the game with Seattle’s Will Borgen penalized for high-sticking and Talbot pulled for an extra attacker. McLellan criticized the team’s slow puck movement, which allowed Seattle’s penalty killers to maintain position.
Noteworthy achievements included Daccord becoming the second goalie this season to make at least 20 first-period saves without conceding a goal, and Lizotte reaching his 100th NHL point in his 281st game. Additionally, Kings center Anze Kopitar excelled in face-offs, winning a significant majority.
This match was a showcase of defensive resilience and goalkeeping prowess from Daccord, who emerged as the Kraken’s anchor in a tightly contested game. The Kraken’s ability to secure points in closely fought matches speaks volumes about their potential, while the Kings will look to refine their offensive execution in future encounters.
