The Chicago Blackhawks and the Seattle Kraken faced off this season for the third and final time. Both teams had split the previous two games, so both sides sought the tie-breaker.
Chicago was on a four-game losing streak and was outscored 16-6 in that timeframe. Meanwhile, the Kraken had garnered five points in their last four games. Ironically, in the previous two matchups against each other, each game ended with a score of 3-1. But this game was different, as it ended in a 6-2 win by the Kraken.
Game Recap
The game started with a bang, as John Hayden and Pat Maroon got into a fight off the puck drop, and the theatrics kept coming as Connor Bedard opened the scoring with a power-play goal four minutes into the game to make it 1-0. Defenseman Artyom Levshunov’s assist on Bedard’s goal made it assists in back-to-back games for the team’s top prospect. Although the Kraken had some looks, the Blackhawks sustained most of the pressure to start.
With less than three minutes left in the first, Tyler Bertuzzi added to the lead while breaking his 20-game goal drought to make it 2-0. However, Seattles’ Adam Larsson had the answer 31 seconds after Alex Vlasic misplayed the puck to make it 2-1.
The second period was all Seattle, as they sustained the momentum they got from their late goal in the first. Chandler Stephenson tied the game 2-2 six minutes into the second period. 26 seconds later, Jared McCann made it 3-2. Matty Beniers made it 4-2 later on off of a one-timer. Then, Shane Wright made it 5-2. It was four goals on eight shots, as the Blackhawks had a hard time getting out of their own zone and gave up second and third chances that the Kraken capitalized on. It was terrible for the Blackhawks on all fronts.
Related: Blackhawks’ Tyler Bertuzzi Needs to Embrace Mayhem Amid Scoring Drought
Shane Wright scored again to make it 6-2 off the Blackhawks’ missed coverage, and that was the story of the third period, which was the same as the second period. Seattle outshot Chicago 8-7 and made a statement by ending the game with a 6-2 win. Larsson had a big night with three points (1 goal, 2 assists) that propelled his team. The shots on goal for the game were 30-29, Seattle.
What’s Next?
After a strong start, the Blackhawks’ disheartening performance —giving up six unanswered goals—told the ugly story of their night.The Kraken will look to keep momentum going against the Minnesota Wild tomorrow (March 19). Meanwhile, the Hawks, who have now lost 6-2 in consecutive games, hope to stop the bleeding against the Los Angeles Kings on March 20.
