3/31/2025
(Seattle, WA)
A flurry of goals in the opening minutes gave way to defense, as the Dallas Stars defeated the Seattle Kraken 3-1. The Stars continue their pursuit in chasing Winnipeg for the Central Division title. Kakko Kakko tallied the only Kraken goal 62 seconds into the game.
The two teams began a rare regular season two game series against Dallas on Saturday in a 5-1 Stars win. The Dallas victory clinched their ticket to the postseason for a fourth straight season. Seattle found themselves eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day due to a St. Louis Blues win over Colorado. Both teams started different goaltenders compared to Saturday night with Dallas starting Casey DeSmith and Seattle with Philipp Grubauer. For Grubauer, Monday night marked his fourth start since being sent down to AHL’s Coachella Valley.
Like Saturday night, the Kraken scored in the opening minutes. Kappo Kakko ripped a shot by Casey DeSmith to set the tone 62 seconds in. Seattle’s lead though, only lasted 92 seconds. The Stars countered with goals 45 seconds apart from Matt Duchene and Wyatt Johnston. The game had the makings of a track meet with three goals in the first 3:19 of the game. The frantic pace though, settled from offense to defense the rest of the way. Dallas closed out the first period leading in shots on goal 15-11. Seattle outhit Dallas in the first 12-3, but seeing 15 shots in the period was a mark high to sustain for the Kraken.
Period number two began with the Stars going on the power play off an interference penalty on Ryker Evans. The Stars generated several chances, but in the end, Seattle’s Philipp Grubauer held strong to kill penalty for the Kraken. Seattle began to see more offensive chances, but were not able to solve Casey DeSmith. With 4:39 left in the period, opportunity knocked when Dallas’s Matt Dumba was called for interference. Seattle maintained pressure on the man advantage, springing two shots on goal. With 10 seconds left in the Dumba minor, Lian Bischel took a high sticking penalty. Seattle were still not able to score, but offensive chances gave Seattle optimism into the third period. Seattle outshot Dallas 16-11 in the second. Just like the first meeting of the mini-series, Dallas led after two periods 2-1.
The Kraken were able to produce plenty of chances in the third period, but goals did not come. Mikael Granlund buried a 175 foot empty netter with 1:07 left to seal the Stars victory. Casey DeSmith made 35 saves in the win, Philipp Grubauer made 29 saves in the loss. Grubauer remarked postgame of how fast the game went, lauding the Stars for the size that they play with.
Three goals in the first 3:19 of the game turned into no scoring until the empty netter by Granlund at the very end. Seattle was not able to capitalize on their chances even with the high shot volume on Casey DeSmith. Kappo Kakko said after the game, “I think we got a lot of chances, just could not put it in”. In both games against Dallas, the Kraken scored 1:02 and 1:27 into the game, only to not score the rest of the game.
Up Next: The Kraken turn their attention to their final road trip of the season. It all begins on Wednesday night in Vancouver against the Canucks. Vancouver stands six point out of the final playoff spot in the west. ESN will be in Vancouver for the coverage from Rogers Arena on Wednesday. The Kraken’s next home game will be on Saturday April 12th against the St. Louis Blues, puck drop is scheduled for 7pm from Climate Pledge Arena.
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