In a decision that surprised some fans, Philipp Grubauer took the net for the Seattle Kraken last night, stepping in for the red-hot Joey Daccord. Grubauer’s performance carried the weight of redemption—a chance to prove his value on a team still finding its footing. However, the Tampa Bay Lightning, a perennial powerhouse, had other plans, handing the Kraken a 5-1 defeat in front of the home crowd.
A promising start unravels
The Kraken opened the scoring early in the first period, with Brandon Montour capitalizing on a power play opportunity at 4:24. Assisted by Eeli Tolvanen and Shane Wright, Montour’s eighth goal of the season injected energy into Climate Pledge Arena. But the Lightning struck back quickly. Brandon Hagel tied the game with his 14th of the year, followed by a Brayden Point goal that showcased Tampa Bay’s offensive prowess. By the end of the first, the Kraken trailed 2-1.
Despite the rough start, Grubauer held his ground during a scoreless second period. Seattle’s defense, led by Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson, tightened up after initial lapses, giving the offense a chance to claw back into the game. Unfortunately, the Kraken couldn't solve Jonas Johansson , who turned away 21 of 22 shots.
The game slips away
Early in the third, Tampa Bay extended their lead with a power play goal from Jake Guentzel, assisted by Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. The Lightning’s precision passing overwhelmed Seattle’s penalty kill, and the two-goal deficit loomed large. A late empty-netter from Hagel sealed the Kraken's fate, and a buzzer-beating tally by Declan Carlile added salt to the wound.
Grubauer finished with 26 saves on 30 shots, including some stellar stops that kept the Kraken within striking distance through two periods. Yet, the narrative of the night was Seattle’s inability to generate sustained pressure, a stark contrast to Tampa Bay's efficient counterattacks.
Key Takeaways
- Grubauer's redemption effort falls short: While the veteran netminder showed flashes of brilliance, his .867 save percentage underlined the challenge of facing a team as dangerous as Tampa Bay.
- Power Play rRevival continues: Montour’s goal marked another positive step for a unit that had struggled earlier this season. Shane Wright, who earned an assist, continues to grow in his role as a power play contributor.
- Offensive drought: Jared McCann and Matty Beniers were held scoreless, highlighting the top-six struggles to create high-danger chances against Johansson .
Looking ahead
The Kraken will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for their next matchup. Grubauer’s start was a calculated risk by coach Dan Bylsma, but with Daccord’s recent dominance, it remains to be seen who will take the crease moving forward. Despite the loss, there were bright spots, particularly Montour’s continued impact.