As teams recover from COVID-19 decimating their rosters, both the Kraken and Flames iced rosters that looked relatively similar to their normal lineups. Seattle was missing Haydn Fleury, Riley Sheahan, and Jaden Schwartz, while Calgary was only missing Michael Stone and Adam Ruzicka.

There was no delay to the action, as the teams combined for 25 shots in the first period, but goaltenders Chris Driedger and Jakob Markstrom held the scoring to one goal apiece. Former Flames Captain Mark Giordano (#RevengeEffects) bit his former team and opened the scoring just under six minutes into the game, but Flames star forward Johnny Gaudreau tied the game four minutes later. As the teams headed into the first intermission, the Flames led in shots 15–10.

rekindling an old flame. pic.twitter.com/JrSWk8Oe9d

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) December 31, 2021

Seattle’s Calle Jarnkrok continued his hot play scoring his third goal of the season just 0:09 into the second period, on the power play, but Gaudreau got his second goal of the game (also on the power play) four minutes later. Calgary dominated the second period in shots 14–7, partly due to their three power plays.

Flames veteran forward Milan Lucic gave Calgary their first lead of the game with five minutes remaining in the second period, which also led into the second intermission.

Scoring opened up in the third period with the two Pacific Division teams battling for the win. Yanni Gourde tied the game five minutes into the third period, which held until the final 5 minutes of regulation. Three goals in 0:43 from Andrew Mangiapane, Jared McCann, and Matthew Tkachuk set up a 5–4 score heading into the final moments of the game.

Kraken Head Coach Dave Hakstol pulled his goaltender in the closing moments of the game in an attempt to send the game to overtime, but Calgary’s Noah Hanifin closed out those hopes, with an empty-net goal in the final 0:20 of play. Hakstol’s team was only able to manage five third period shots on goal as Calgary led overall 40–22, and won the game 6–4.

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Driedger definitely wants a few of those flames goals back. Gaudreau’s second caught him way too far into his own net, and he was late getting across on the Tkachuk winner. I cannot fault him for over persuing Zadorov on Gaudreau’s first goal because no one in the building thought he was passing that puck.

The Kraken power play did break through in the second period but the penalty kill (which dropped to 22nd overall) gave up two on the night.

Only the line of Jordan Eberle (52% Corsi), Morgan Geekie (58% Corsi), and Jared McCann (54% Corsi) were above water in 5-on-5 possession. The line of Kole Lind, Max McCormick, and Alexander True were crushed by the Flames and only played 6:10 at even strength.

Calgary controlled most of the play and it showed in the final score

5-on-5 Corsi (total shot attempts) 59% – 41%
5-on-5 Fenwick (Unblocked shot attempts) 61% – 39%
5-on-5 High Danger Chances For 50% – 50%
5-on-5 Expected Goals For 56% – 44%
Faceoff Percentage 60% – 40%

The Kraken have little time to lick their wounds, as they host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, New Years Day. The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT.

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The Flames scored their first goal with 17 seconds remaining in the first period, on the power play, from Byron Froese.  Defenseman Michael Stone scored his second of the preseason (and second against Seattle) three minutes into the second period.  Five minutes later, Glenn Gawdin gave Calgary a three-goal lead just five minutes later, shorthanded.

For the Kraken, Vince Dunn scored his first for Seattle, on the power play, at the midway point of the second period.  That was all the offense that fans would get from the home team.

Connor Mackey scored the only goal of the third period, with under 10 minutes remaining in regulation, which ended up just being another insurance goal.  Calgary had only 13 total shots on net but made the most of those shots.  Kraken goalie Chris Driedger continued to struggle this preseason, making only nine saves (.652 sv%).

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Without many bright points for the Kraken, Vince Dunn was as assist shy of a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight)

Joonas Donskoi had an assist but was also minus three on the night

The Kraken will travel to Vancouver to face the Canucks for their final preseason game, on Tuesday. Vancouver will be looking for some revenge for their loss against Seattle to open the preseason.  The puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT.

The post RECAP: Kraken take their lumps from Calgary Flames, lose 4–1 appeared first on The Rink.

Like it was written in a fairy tale, Giordano took just three minutes to get his revenge goal. He cut up the middle of the Flames’ zone and sent a backhand through the legs of goalie Dan Vladar to give the Kraken a 1–0 lead.

Three minutes later, Jaden Schwartz put the visitors up 2–0, with his first of two goals on the night. Schwartz picked up a juicy rebound following a long Adam Larsson point shot and put the puck into the back of the net.

Calgary got on the board with five minutes remaining in the opening period, as Matthew Tkachuk snuck through three Kraken defenders and flipped a pass from Elias Lindholm past a surprised Philipp Grubauer, which brought a close to the first period scoring at 2–1. Seattle led the Flames in shots on net 9–5.

The second period was a bit of a slog, as both teams went into their shells. They combined for only eight total shots on net, with the Kraken only mustering up two of those shots. Despite the low shot totals, Calgary defenseman Michael Stone scored the only goal, which tied the game at 2–2.

The third period saw Seattle goalie Joey Daccord take over for Grubauer, while Calgary stuck with Vladar for the entire contest. That change saw Daccord face as many shots in the final 25 minutes (11) as Grubauer saw in the previous 40 minutes.

With just over seven minutes remaining in regulation, Schwartz’s second goal of the game put the Kraken up 3–2. Jordan Eberle stole the puck from a lackadaisical Stone and fed Schwartz for an easy one-timer past Vladar. Schwartz and Eberle hooked up on a 2-on-0 chance with under four minutes remaining, but Vladar shut the door with a really nice toe save, keeping Calgary alive. The Seattle lead would not hold until the final horn, though.

Just a minute later, Mikael Backlund led a 2-on-1 against Kraken defenseman Will Borgen and Daccord, but kept the puck and beat the Kraken netminder to tie the game at 3–3, sending the game to extra time.

Both teams traded chances in the overtime, but the game was decided in a shootout. Jarad McCann and Eberle scored for Seattle, while only Tkachuk scored for Calgary, giving the Kraken their second preseason win.

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Just prior to the game, the Kraken announced that they signed free agent left wing Max McCormick to a one-year deal worth $750,000. McCormick spent last season with the Carolina organization and previously spent five seasons with the Ottawa organization and a brief stint with the AHL Colorado Eagles.

Welcome to SEA-town!

The #SeaKraken have signed forward @mccomax17 to a one-year, two-way contract (750k AAV). pic.twitter.com/intSY03fab

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) September 30, 2021

Grubauer has looked good at times, but he is going to need to be more consistent if this team is going to contend. He has time to sort things out, but he needs to be one of their best players when he is in the net. Clearly, a .778 save percentage is not sufficient.

The Kraken penalty kill was perfect on the night, but their power play was kept off the board as well. Once they are closer to the full strength roster, the power play needs to be more effective. Since going 3 for 5 in the opener, they have been held scoreless.

Schwartz could have easily had four goals. He has been a great leader and example for this team. Eberle has been a force, as well. Those two will be go-to players for the team this season.

The Kraken head back to the states to face the Oilers again, in Everett, on Friday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PDT.

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