If the Seattle Kraken have shown anything thus far this season, it’s that they’re surprisingly resilient.
Even after blowing a three-goal lead in the third period Tuesday night against Detroit — allowing the tying goal with 17 seconds remaining in regulation on a turnover in front of their own net, with the Red Wings on a power play and the goalie pulled — the Kraken came away with a 4-3 shootout victory in the opener of a four-game homestand.
Seattle, 4-1-1 over its past six games, will look to continue its upward trajectory Thursday when it plays host to the equally hot Utah Mammoth, who have won four of their past five games.
“We had two or three chances to make it 4-0,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “I thought we were on our toes (early in the third period), and then we ran into a little bit of penalty trouble, and it turned a little on a dime.”
Defenseman Brandon Montour, who missed Saturday’s 8-3 loss at Florida with a lower-body injury, scored his first goal of the season for Seattle. Mackie Samoskevich and Ryker Evans also tallied, and goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 22 saves.
“I like our attitude and how our guys pick each other up,” forward Matty Beniers said.
Bobby McMann scored the winner in the shootout. The Kraken improved to 2-0 in games decided by shootouts after going just 2-6 in those situations last season.
“I like that we put a lot of focus on shootouts this year with (goalie coach Colin Zulianello),” Montour said. “Guys have really keyed in and (been) working on it.”
This will be the lone road game in a five-game stretch for the Mammoth. They beat Pittsburgh 5-4 on Monday in Salt Lake City as Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Kevin Stenlund and Nate Schmidt each recorded a goal and an assist. Kailer Yamamoto also tallied, and goaltender Sebastian Cossa made 15 saves to earn his first home win.
“It was big. The guys played really well,” Cossa said. “It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but at the end of the day (we) got the win, so that’s the most important thing.”
Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny said he wants to get the 23-year-old Cossa into a rhythm by providing him with consistent starts.
“Like every young player who arrives in the league — it’s an expression (you’ve heard) before — the game has to slow down for him,” Tourigny said. “Right now, the game is probably fast for him and he gets surprised in some situations.
“When we say that, that has nothing to do with your ability to play in (this) league. It’s the ability to relax, slow down, be comfortable.”
After the game, Cossa gave Schmidt a big hug.
“I think (Cossa) squeezed me pretty hard at the end of that one,” Schmidt joked. “But he deserves it. I might have to get an oxygen tank.”
Schmidt’s goal broke a 2-2 tie midway through the second period, and he assisted on Yamamoto’s tally that helped the Mammoth build a three-goal lead early in the third.
“I just liked our directness, especially early in the game, and especially after the goals,” Schmidt said. “I just love the way that we can kind of gain that momentum back because that really does change the hockey game and change the way that your team feels when you’re in a situation where you give up a goal.”