(Seattle) The Seattle Kraken qualified for the National League playoffs for the first time in its history, setting a league record for most wins in a club’s second season. expansion, following their 4-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night.
Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, Matty Beniers and Vince Dunn got the goals for the Kraken, which earned its 44th victory in 2022-23. It is the highest total wins by a second-season club since the expansion era, which began in 1967.
It’s quite a turnaround for the Kraken, who finished their first NHL season ranked last in the Pacific Division with a 27-49-6 record.
“The feeling is extraordinary,” said head coach Dave Hakstol of his troop’s qualification.
“Day 1 is what you want to work towards and what you want to be a part of. The group in the locker room deserves it. He’s deserved it since day 1.”
Philipp Grubauer blocked 27 pucks to help the Kraken win a third straight game.
“We have a special group here,” Eberle said.
“From Day 1, I think a lot of people weren’t giving us a chance. To reach this stage is a feat, for sure, but I think that within this group, everyone believes that we will not stop there. »
Barrett Hayton and Laurent Dauphin replied for the Coyotes, who suffered their ninth straight loss. Karel Vejmelka made 29 saves.
“We took a step in the right direction today, and we want to finish with confidence,” said head coach André Tourigny. “We have three games in front of our fans. »
McCann, who also had two assists, opened the scoring with his 38th goal of the season – a Kraken high – at 19:36 of the first period.
Dunn doubled the Kraken’s lead 28 seconds into the second period, and Eberle eluded Vejmelka’s vigilance to make it 3-0, 5:52 into the middle period.
Hayton got the Coyotes on the scoreboard exactly 12 minutes into the second period, and Dauphin hit the target at 19:21 of the third period.
Previously, Beniers had made it 4-1 at 16:9 of the third period, thanks to his 23rd goal of the season.
On the game, Eberle earned his second assist of the night, giving an eighth point to the line that he completes with Beniers and McCann.
Beniers, a rookie, doesn’t seem too nervous about playing games in what’s sure to be an intense atmosphere.
“I know it will be harder, faster, tougher,” Beniers acknowledged.
“However, I think we have a team that plays the right way all the time. That’s how we got to this position. I think if we continue in the same vein, we will be fine in the playoffs. »
Hakstol gave Seattle fans – who have never experienced playoff hockey – an idea of what to expect.
“I can’t describe it, it’s a totally different level,” Hakstol remarked.
“Tonight (Thursday) I noticed our fans were amazing again. From the first face-off, you could feel the excitement and some of the intensity as the match progressed. They will know it when they enter the building for this first game. They will feel it after the first face-off and then everyone will know what the feeling is. »
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