Seattle’s defensive performance was the backbone of this victory, as they stifled one of the most dynamic offenses in the NHL. The Kraken held the Hurricanes to just 19 shots on goal, the fewest by a Carolina team in over a decade. The blue line was active and disciplined, breaking up plays before they could develop and frustrating Carolina’s top scorers all night.
Brandon Montour and Vince Dunn anchored the effort, using their mobility to limit clean zone entries and their positioning to block shooting lanes. Meanwhile, forwards like Yanni Gourde and Matty Beniers played crucial roles on the backcheck, disrupting passing lanes and forcing turnovers in the neutral zone.
Joey Daccord stood tall when called upon, making timely saves and maintaining composure even during scrambles around the crease. While the two goals against were out of his control—a turnover and a power play breakdown—Daccord’s performance reflected the confidence instilled by the defensive group in front of him.
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Seattle Kraken on 2024-12-03:#SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/6FFYCxxorK
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) December 4, 2024
Team effort powers offensive output
Seattle’s offense fired on all cylinders, scoring four even strength goals. Jaden Schwartz opened the scoring just 19 seconds into the game with a sharp finish, assisted by Yanni Gourde and Matty Beniers. After a quick response from Carolina’s Eric Robinson, Eeli Tolvanen regained the lead in the second period, continuing his excellent chemistry with Shane Wright and Oliver Bjorkstrand.
In the third period, Gourde broke the tie with his fourth goal of the season, again set up by Schwartz and Beniers, before Brandon Tanev iced the game with his sixth goal, racing past defenders and finishing in style. Brandon Montour and Ryan Winterton earned assists on the play, with Winterton celebrating his first NHL point in a memorable moment.
New line combinations spark success
Dan Bylsma's bold lineup changes paid off. Matty Beniers thrived alongside Schwartz and Gourde, contributing two assists and controlling the pace of play. Jared McCann, now paired with Chandler Stephenson and Tanev, did not score but showed flashes of what this new combination could produce. The third line of Tolvanen, Wright, and Bjorkstrand, which remained intact, continued to impress and added another goal to their growing total.
Meanwhile, the fourth line, featuring younger players Tye Kartye, Mitchell Stephens, and Winterton, provided valuable energy and contributed on the scoresheet. Winterton’s assist was a testament to his ability to seize the moment, even in limited ice time.
Statement win
This victory highlighted Seattle’s ability to adapt and execute against a top tier opponent. Their defensive discipline and offensive balance were key in slowing down a dangerous Carolina squad. The challenge now will be maintaining this level of intensity, as December’s schedule pits the Kraken against several other elite teams. If Seattle can sustain this form, they will be a tough team to beat.