Special-Team Lapses Doom Kraken in 3-2 Loss To Flyers

Prior to Philadelphia hosting the Seattle Kraken, Flyers coach John Tortorella said wistfully, "Our penalty kill is more dangerous than our power play."

The Kraken found that out Saturday at Wells Fargo Center. Philadelphia not only killed all three Seattle power plays, they scored shorthanded. Oh, and their next-to-worst in the NHL power play scored, too.

Seattle, in action for the first time since a shutout defeat in San Jose on Jan. 30, got goals from Tomas Tatar and Jared McCann, and 35 saves from Joey Daccord.

Early game rust and a lack of catch-up offense cost them in a 3-2 loss to Philadelphia, the first of four game road trip.

1st Period

The Flyers will have their own outdoor game in one week, facing the New Jersey Devils at Met Life Stadium. Speaking of jerseys...

That much-maligned Philly power play comes through when Vince Dunn goes off for a cross-check. Scott Laughton gets the goal at 4:36.

Kevin Weeks, on the ESPN+ telecast, said to increase scoring, the Kraken needed to get more "Industrial."

Perhaps Tomas Tatar will need to change his nickname from "Tuna" to "The Contractor." His slot shot beats Flyers goalie Cal Petersen to tie the game 1-1 at 17:09.

Not only was there confusion about who scored the goal - originally credited to Tatar, changed to Matty Beniers, then back to Tatar - there was a question whether it WAS a goal. The tally had to survive a lengthy coach's challenge for offside. Because the goal stood, Philadelphia was charged with a minor penalty.

But the team that scored was the one shorthanded. The Flyers get their league-leading 12th shorthanded goal, Ryan Poehling putting the home team back in front 2-1 at 18:14.

Just before the horn, Seattle's Yanni Gourde levels Cam York.

2nd Period

The Kraken successfully kill a Gourde slash, though the Flyers put three shots on Kraken goalie Joey Daccord.

Will Borgen's shot deflects off a Flyers stick and bangs off the right post. Since that doesn't count as a SOG, Seattle still doesn't have one more than seven minutes into the period.

This is just the third game in net this season for Philly's Petersen, so the Kraken would be well served to put more pucks toward net. They'll get a chance to tie when Sean Walker slashes the stick out of Kailer Yamamoto's hands.

On the PP, Alex Wennberg blasts are stoped twice; the first glances off Petersen's glove, the second blocked by Nick Seeler - who leads the league in that category. Three SOG for the Kraken, but no tying goal.

With the teams back at full strength, Petersen looks sharp on Andre Burakovsky's no-look wrister and Yamamoto's rebound stuff attempt.

The Kraken, who recorded one lonely shot in the first half of the period, pepper Petersen with eight more before the horn. Shots are 24-17 through 40. Also, Philly isn't the only team good at blocking shots; Seattle leads 18-16 in sacrificing the body.

3rd Period

We neglected to mention it earlier, but Daccord continues to be death to opponents' breakaways. Laughton, who later scored on the power play, shimmied and shook all the way in from the blue line, but Daccord stoned him.

A Flyers block comes back to bite them. Jared McCann has his right circle drive blunted by the stick of Sean Couturier - but the shot has enough oomph to flutter merrily on its way into the net to tie the game 2-2 36 seconds into the 3rd. It's McCann's team-leading 21st.

Joel Farabee breaks in on a 2-on-1, but Daccord's blocker has the answer. However, on the ensuing faceoff, Couturier in front uses his stick to better effect. 3-2 Philadelphia at 5:30, their third lead of the game.

Daccord keeps his team in the game with a breakaway save on Travis Konecny while Seattle is shorthanded. He rejects another grade-A chance by Tyson Foerster. 15 minutes into the period, McCann's goal is the only shot for the Kraken this period. Philadelphia, not sitting back, has 12.

With Daccord pulled, McCann gets one more SOG. Philly outshoots Seattle 14-2 in the 3rd, and 38-19 for the game. Shot attempts were equally lopsided, 73-47 Flyers.

A game which wasn't available for Seattle viewing except on ESPN+ ends like too many Kraken fans have witnessed this season - a one-goal defeat.