Critical Turnovers Doom Kraken Against Capitals, 2-1

As all football fans know, you hardly ever emerge victorious when you lose the turnover battle.

Thursday at Climate Pledge Arena, the Seattle Kraken arguably outplayed the Washington Capitals. But two decisive turnovers resulted directly in Caps goals, just enough to send Seattle to a crushing 2-1 defeat.

Oliver Bjorkstrand had the lone score for the Kraken, but couldn't overcome costly misplays by goalie Joey Daccord and forward Andre Burakovsky.

1st Period

Before the game, Kraken forward Jordan Eberle was honored for playing in his 1,000th NHL game Tuesday against Vegas. The team presented the 14-year veteran with a silver stick and a variety of other gifts, as his wife and two children looked on from center ice.

Early truculence. Two of the NHL's feistiest agitators, Yanni Gourde and Tom Wilson, come together and stay together. When they're finally separated, Washington's Wilson is called for roughing.

As the penalty is being called, Caps netminder Charlie Lindgren robs Jamie Oleksiak, leaving the Seattle defenseman staring up at the Climate Pledge Arena roof.

Lindgren saves all three shots on the Kraken power play. Seattle has outshot Washington 6-0 in the first five minutes. Save seven is also a sparkler, as Tye Kartye fired for the far corner.

Ivan Miroshnichenko staples Will Borgen into the boards.

Hope Capitals winger T.J. Oshie was taking notes during the Eberle ceremony. The Washington State native is playing NHL game number 999 tonight.

A tribute to the Seattle full-team defensive effort that we've had no reason to mention Kraken goalie Joey Daccord. In a scoreless  first 20, Daccord made eight saves. At the other end, Lindgren had the far more testing nine stops.

2nd Period

Gourde comes down the left wing and fires off the outside of the left post.

This game matches the 28th (Seattle) and 29th (Capitals) ranked offensive teams, so a scoreless game through the first 25 minutes shouldn't be unexpected.

Wilson's shot from center point is hard and true. But if Joey Daccord can see long range bombs like that, he'll stop them. He can, and he does.

On a delayed Kraken penalty to former Cap Andre Burakovsky, Alex Ovechkin takes his first shot on goal.

Washington's power play lasts three seconds. That's how long it takes for Oshie to commit a hooking penalty. Will two minutes of 4-on-4 hockey open the ice enough to create scoring chances?

Total 4-on-4 shots either way... checks notes... Zero.

Seattle's Ryker Evans interferes Hendrix Lapierre right into the Kraken net. Daccord fights off Ovechkin's heavy, legendary power play shot. The Capitals use all two minutes of their PP this time, but don't score.

Miroshnichenko is fed a breakaway pass, but never can get the puck to cooperate. It slides harmlessly in on Daccord.

Brian Dumoulin takes Seattle's third minor of the period, dumping Wilson. Washington, who had all kinds of extra-man woes for most of the season, are operating at a 33% clip over their last 13 games.

Self-inflicted wound! Daccord, trying to clear the puck while shorthanded, gets intercepted by Oshie. He bats the puck down, and it dribbles past Daccord's effort to reel in his mistake. 1-0 Capitals at 14:20.

Martin Fehervary's desperation dive breaks up a Kraken 2-on-1. The Kraken follow with their best sustained offensive pressure, but Nic Dowd blunts Evans' point drive into the seats.

With two periods complete, the Kraken (averaging 2.73 goals per game) have scored zero. The Capitals (averaging 2.64 goals per game) have scored one. 2nd period shots are 12-3 D.C., 20-13 through 40.

3rd Period

One more milestone note - although at this point, maybe any mention of milestone games at CPA should be considered bad luck.

Eberle squirts through the Caps defense, but Lindgren gets a piece of his shot.

In a search for a spark, Kraken coach Dave Hakstol makes wholesale changes to his forward lines.

Alexander Alexeyev trips Eberle, giving Seattle the chance to tie on the power play.

Kick save and a beauty by Lindgren on Beniers' drive. Seconds later, Oliver Bjorkstrand won't be denied. Each team has scored with the extra man; Bjorkstrand's 18th ties the game 1-1 at 3:32.

The Kraken kill a Beniers trip to keep the score tied.

Lindgren makes back-to-back big saves on Kraken top scorer Jared McCann.

Then, disaster. Trying to extend Kraken pressure, Burakovsky leaves the puck for...?

Connor McMichael - does every other team have a Connor? - has nothing but open ice from his own blueline. Daccord, who's been death to opponent breakaways all season, can't stay with McMichael's forehand-backhand wizardry. 2-1 Caps at 11:36.

McMichael has 14 goals, including in each of his last two games.

Seattle pulls Daccord for an extra attacker. Fehervary ties Eberle up enough to keep him from tapping in the tying marker. Seattle calls timeout with 37.4 seconds remaining. Lindgren rejects Eeli Tolvanen's last-ditch chance, then pumps his arms at the final horn.

Kraken don't find the Vegas magic, and lose to Washington, 2-1. Home cooking hasn't been kind, with Seattle dropping three straight at CPA.