DENVER — There have been after all so many “firsts” for the Seattle Kraken of their postseason debut.
First playoff purpose for the franchise (and reply to a future trivia query) – Eeli Tolvanen. First playoff penalty – Will Borgen.
Above all, first playoff win and transient celebration.
Alex Wennberg had a purpose and an help, Philipp Grubauer stopped 34 photographs and the Kraken made a profitable postseason debut by beating the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Tuesday evening.
The second-year Kraken turned the thirteenth growth franchise to earn a win of their first postseason recreation, in response to NHL Stats.
“Obviously, we played a good game, getting the first franchise win in the playoffs. But right now this is Game 1,” Wennberg mentioned. “Obviously, we are happy about this performance, but we’ve got to do it again and do it again.”
PHOTOS: Kraken make profitable playoff debut, stun Avalanche 3-1
Grubauer was sharp all evening in opposition to his former crew. He pissed off Colorado’s prime scorers with one large save after one other, whereas his protection helped neutralize the Avalanche’s blazing velocity.
“It’s definitely a weird feeling coming back but also really familiar,” mentioned Grubauer, who spent three seasons with the Avalanche earlier than leaving for Seattle previous to the 2021-22 season. “There’s nothing better than playing against your old team in the playoffs.”
Nathan MacKinnon didn’t mince phrases when requested what he noticed out of Grubauer.
“Nothing,” the Colorado ahead mentioned.
Mikko Rantanen had the lone purpose for the Avalanche, who noticed their streak of 10 straight first-round wins come to a halt. It was a string that included two sweeps and dated to 2020.
“Our whole team just wasn’t quite good enough,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar mentioned. “I thought we did some good things. They obviously did more good things.”
Alexandar Georgiev, coming off a career-best 40-win season, made 27 saves.
Game 2 is Thursday in Denver.
The Kraken took a 2-1 lead into the third. They’ve been nearly automated when main after two intervals, going 35-1-3 within the common season. Morgan Geekie sealed it with a tally within the third.
Colorado pulled Georgiev for an additional skater with round 1:35 left however couldn’t shut the hole.
“Not our best execution tonight, but still had plenty of chances,” MacKinnon mentioned. “Now our focus is to move on.”
Grubauer benefitted from somewhat bit of fine lucky. A shot from Evan Rodrigues within the second interval glanced off the highest of Grubauer’s stick and caromed huge of the online. Later, Bowen Byram’s wrist shot hit Grubauer’s shoulder after which bounced off the crossbar.
“(Grubauer) was great tonight,” Kraken ahead Yanni Gourde mentioned. “He made the saves and we were able to clean up what was in front of us. He was a stud back there. Good to see him there.”
By leaping out to a 1-0 lead, Seattle turned the fourth crew previously 20 years to open the scoring in its first-ever playoff recreation. Tolvanen capitalized on a Colorado turnover to energise the Kraken and stun the group.
The lead lasted simply over 9 minutes as Rantanen tied it up on a move from MacKinnon. Rantanen had 55 objectives within the common season, essentially the most by an Avalanche participant for the reason that crew moved to Denver earlier than the 1995-96 season.
Don’t sleep on Seattle. Or maybe do.
“They can do whatever you want,” Wennberg mentioned of the doubters. “Obviously it comes down to the belief in the group right here. Everyone is going to have an opinion about the way we play now, but the focus is always going to be on us. We have a belief in this group.”
AROUND THE RINK
Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson was a late scratch with a lower-body damage. He was changed by Erik Johnson. … Forward Andrew Cogliano was a scratch. … Colorado defenseman Josh Manson performed in his first recreation since March 1. He was referred to as for a hooking penalty and later a maintain. “He was rusty today,” Bednar mentioned. … Borgen drew the franchise’s first playoff penalty when he was referred to as for high-sticking within the second interval.
HISTORIC MEETING
This marked the fifth time an NHL franchise made its postseason debut in opposition to the defending champion. It additionally occurred with Columbus in 2009 (in opposition to Detroit), Washington in 1983 (New York Islanders), Hartford in 1980 (Montreal) and the New York Americans in 1929 (New York Rangers).
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