The (1-0) Seattle Kraken host the (1-0-1) Vegas Golden Knights after the Golden Knights defeated the San Jose Sharks 4-3 in overtime. The Kraken scored 245 total goals last season, an average of 3.0 per game on 27.3 shots per game. Although it’s only been one game, the Kraken scored three goals and had 31 shots on goal in their season opener.
In the past nine matchups, the Kraken have gone 1-8-0 vs the Golden. Saturday night’s game would take on a similar feel. As it took an overtime goal from Kraken center Jared McCann (2), assists: Matty Beniers (2), Vince Dunn (2), with 3.8 remaining in the waning seconds of the game for the Kraken to pull this game out a 2-1 win over the Golden Knights.
“Sometimes we take for granted the amazing amount of skill on plays like that. Eberly’s behind-the-back pass without looking—well, it wasn’t truly blind. He knew exactly where he was going. He had surveyed the situation while the puck was coming around the wall and made a nice touch play,” coach Lambert told the media, “Beiners’ finish was elite—forehand, backhand, and the composure to execute it. A high-level play from both guys.”
The Golden Knights led in shots on goal 7-5 in the first period; a late-period rush by the Kraken enabled them to take a shot-on-goal lead 9-7 at the end of the period. The Golden Knights would ultimately win the shots on battle 22-30. The Kraken, however, would out-hit the Golden Knights 17-6 in the early period, establishing the tone for the game, and finished the game with 30 hits as compared to 22 for the Golden Knights.
“We’ve got to be physical—they’re a big team. We added some size over the summer, and it was good to play that way,” Kraken center Jared McCann said of the aggressive mindset. “We got our nose in the fight a little bit. Monty dropping the gloves was huge and brought some energy.”
Both teams played a clean, penalty-free game in that first period, though they each received a penalty early in the second period. These teams combined for six total penalties in the second period. The Kraken were able to capitalize on a power play opportunity to score their only goal when Matty Beniers (1) scored on a backhand goal, assisted by Jordan Eberle (2), Vince Dunn (1). For their initial goal of the game.
The Kraken continue to set the tone by leading in hits, 23-15. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights responded by taking a 17-13 shots on goal advantage in the third period. They tied the game with a power play goal of their own, as Pavel Dorofeyev scored a slap shot (5) assisted by Mark Stone (5) and Jack Eichel (5).
As the new head coach, Lane Lambert brought a fresh, disciplined, defense-first approach to the Kraken. This was highlighted in this game, as the Golden Knights came into this having scored 10 points in two games, and through three quarters, the Kraken limited them to one goal.
“Just focused on defense. You’re not going to put up six or seven goals against a team like that,” McCann said, “They’ve got great goaltending, great forwards, good defense. It’s kind of boring hockey—I know people don’t like that—but that’s how you beat teams like that.”
“We’ve been building. There were things we did really well tonight, and areas we need to improve. We have to be more consistent for 60 minutes,” Kraken coach Lambert said. “The offense dried up in the second and third periods—there wasn’t much ice either way. In those games, you have to be patient and trust the process. Impatience is death in hockey. If you get impatient, you start giving up rushes the other way. I thought the effort was good and has been great since game one.”
The Pacific Division leading (2-0-0) Seattle Kraken will take their act on the road for their next six games, highlighted by the prime-time matchup on Hockey Night in Canada, against the (1-1-0) Toronto Maple Leafs on October 18, 2025. However, they will face the (2-1-0) Montreal Canadians and the (1-1) Ottawa Senators on the first leg of their road trip.
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