On Saturday, February 28, the Seattle Kraken hosted the Vancouver Canucks for their third game of the 2025-2026 season. Seattle started off strong, scoring two goals in the top half of the first period. Vancouver scored early in the third to try to level the score, but the Kraken scored again just five minutes later to regain their two-goal lead. Seattle scored two more unanswered goals in the third period and walked away with one 5-1 victory. The Kraken now have a 2-1 lead in the season series.
Two milestone moments for two Kraken players
This game was Vince Dunn’s 600th NHL game. The defender has been part of the Kraken since the beginning, after being claimed by Seattle from St. Louis in the expansion draft. He kicked off this milestone match in the best possible way: opening the scoring. Chandler Stephenson held the puck at the blue line and passed it across the ice to Dunn. He skated up a short distance, but shot through traffic to set up the Kraken on the plate.
Related: 3 takeaways from Kraken’s 4-1 loss to the Stars
Just three minutes later, Jaden Schwartz skated the puck into the Kraken’s zone and passed it to Adam Larsson at the blue line. He also shot at the blue line, but Kevin Lankinen made the first save. Stephenson scooped up the rebound and sent it past the goal line to give Seattle one two goal lead.
This first assist for Larsson marked his 200th assist in the NHL. Larsson and Dunn, another player who has been with the Kraken since the beginning, form the first defensive duo on the Kraken. The two have been the go-to on the blue line since the beginning. It’s an incredible achievement that the two players are celebrating these milestone moments together.
Larsson is also 11 games away from another major milestone: his 1,000th NHL game. If he manages to stay healthy, as he normally does, he will achieve this feat in March.
Eberle was denied for a hat trick
By the time the Canucks pulled Lankinen from the crease, the Kraken were already up by three goals, two of which were scored by Jordan Eberle. He also hit the empty-netter, causing hats to rain in Climate Pledge Arena. However, near the end of the match, they announced that Eberle’s second goal was actually credited to Matty Beniers, with Eberle earning the primary assist.
This is now the second time in as many months that the referees took away a hat trick from a Kraken player. The first was on January 27, then Jared McCann’s third goal was waved after Beniers received a double minor for a high stick just after the Hats fell to the ice.
After McCann’s hat trick, the Kraken offered an opportunity to get a free hat, thanks to American Express. Maybe they’ll offer the same opportunity again to those who threw their hats in for Eberle. Anyway, it’s a shame this keeps happening to the Kraken.
Kraken finally earns their first win after the break
The NHL finally returned on Wednesday after a three-week break for the Olympics, and this is now the Kraken’s third game. Their first two games were back-to-back, with both the Dallas Stars and St. Louis Blues holding off the Kraken, scoring just one goal in each game. Back on home ice, the Kraken finally managed to break the cycle and get their first win.
This game was the first in a six-game homestand for Seattle. The home crowd and home ice should hopefully This could be beneficial for Seattle as they continue their push for the playoffs. Seattle has been up and down in the standings all season, but as the season comes to a close, this is where every point matters most.
They are currently in the second wildcard spot with 65 points. They sit just below the first wild card spot, tied with the Utah Mammoth, who are tied for third with the Edmonton Oilers with 65 points. It’s an exciting race and every point counts.
Kraken’s Homestand continues on Monday
The Kraken will continue their six-game homestand on Monday, March 2, when they host the Carolina Hurricanes.
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