Well, That Sucks… Seattle Kraken Can’t Finish Avs Off, Lose Game 6

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 28: Head coach Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken looks on during the second period against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - APRIL 28: Head coach Dave Hakstol of the Seattle Kraken looks on during the second period against the Colorado Avalanche in Game Six of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Climate Pledge Arena on April 28, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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The Seattle Kraken could not take advantage of home ice in their first elimination game, losing to the Avalanche 4-1. The loss ties the series 3-3 and pushes the series back to Denver for Game 7 on Sunday night.

Let’s call this how it is; the Kraken pissed away golden opportunity to advance to the second round. Home ice, home crowd, deeper roster, momentum- all gone now as both teams play a winner takes all Game 7. The Avs are in the driver’s seat. The Kraken were never in this game even though they once again scored the first goal.

The Avs dominated pretty much every area of this game. They out shot the Kraken 39-23, they won 56% of the faceoffs, and only have 3 giveaways. The return of Cale Makar to the lineup, and the team’s Stanley Cup champion pedigree was too much for the Kraken.

Was the stage too big for our guys? Maybe.

The two things that needed to happen for the Avs to win, happened. The first, goalie Alexandar Georgiev allowed less than 2 goals (the Avs scored an empty netter, so as mentioned the Kraken needed more than 2 goals), and made big saves when they needed him to. Georgiev saved 22 of 23 shots faced.

He beat us.

Second, the Avs needed to get goals from guys outside of their big three, and they did. Erik Johnson scored 1, and Artturi Lehkonen scored 2. As always Mikko Rantanen scored a goal as well. The Avs did what they needed to do to win. The Kraken did not come out ready to play. Period.

Where do we go from here? The Avs are the favorites and all of the pressure should be on them. The Kraken need to get back into where they have been at their best; playing the underdog role. Each team is in a win or go home situation, but the pressure is on Colorado. All of the pressure.

Remember, the Kraken are not supposed to be here. Colorado is trying to defend their reign on top. If the Kraken can regroup and head into Colorado on fire, they should walk away with an upset win. I have said all series that the Kraken would win in 6. Yes, I was wrong about that, but I still think the Kraken win this series.

This ends tomorrow night.

Fear the deep!