Listen to this articleworld News, May 1, 2023. Western 1st-Round series victory for Kraken marks historic progress.
win Game 7 against the Avalanche to become the first team to knock off the defending champions in the playoffs.
Everyone who had been underestimating Seattle was proven wrong when the Seattle Kraken defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in Game 7 of the Western Conference First Round on Sunday at Ball Arena.
Philipp Grubauer, the goalie, praised his 33 saves as “incredible”. It is very important to the team and the organization. And obviously for those who have written us off from the beginning of the season or even before, here we are.
They are in the second round and will play Game 1 against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
This appeared to be stunning at first.
The Kraken made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in their first season after finishing 30th in the NHL, earning the first wild card in the West. Never before had a team defeated the reigning champion to win its first playoff series. Seattle, however, was the first.
In a see-saw series, the Kraken never panicked, taking a 1-0 lead, falling behind 2-1, taking a 3-2 lead, and recovering from a 4-1 loss in Game 6 to win Game 7. They also won three of the four games in Denver.
The forward Jared McCann, who led them with 40 goals in the season, did not score until they had 15 different players score. or the 13 goals scored by forward Andre Burakovsky during the regular season. After Game 4, McCann (upper body) was unable to play. Since February 7, Burakovsky (lower body) has been sidelined.
After scoring twice, forward Oliver Bjorkstrand said, “I think it says it all about our team.” “It just lacks depth. Every line, including the defence and the forwards, has the potential to score at any time. It’s how our team succeeds together. We must continue to work towards achieving it.
Yep. Under the surface, this wasn’t as shocking as it seemed.
Whatever happened the previous year, this team scored 100 points this year. In the regular season, the Kraken had a 2-0-1 record against the Avalanche, including a 2-0-0 record in Denver. On the roster, they had a lot of playoff experience.
including knowledge of Game 7 circumstances.
They averaged 3.52 goals per game, tied for fourth in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, and had 13 players score 13 goals or more.
It’s a big deal, but we’ve demonstrated all year that we can compete with and surpass the best, according to Grubauer. Since the regular-season games (against the Avalanche) were so close and evenly matched, nobody on our side anticipated that they would sweep us in four games.
For a significant portion of this series, the Kraken simply outperformed the Avalanche. They took away the middle of the pitch with an aggressive fore-check ice as a defence.
Coach of the Avalanche Jared Bednar said, “I think they’re highly competitive, as competitive as any team we’ve played. “Everyone has been discussing their depth all year, and I concur. It’s a strong team.Every line plays the same way and is very organised. They are playing the way they need to play to succeed thanks to [coach Dave Hakstol]. In my opinion, Grubauer was the series’ standout character. They have strong, physical [defensemen] who make it difficult for you to create chances, along with a good goaltender.
Due to departures, injuries, and absences, the Avalanche were not the same team as they were the previous season.
You must respect the League’s parity. On the same day that the Florida Panthers defeated the Avalanche, the Kraken defeated the NHL records were set by the Boston Bruins, who have 65 wins and 92 points. (135). Not quite the underdogs they seemed to be, either, were the Panthers. They took home the Presidents’ Trophy as the NHL’s best regular-season team last year.
Bednar claimed that he wouldn’t have been shocked if any series had taken a different turn.
To win the series, you must play your best hockey, according to Bednar. “We had a great time. For seven games, we didn’t play to our potential.
The Kraken must be respected above all else.
Forward Yanni Gourde said, “It’s amazing. It’s a wonderful feeling. I’m so happy for this group. Particularly during our second season in this League, we fought valiantly.Even reaching the postseason is a success. We fought tenaciously.
We fought valiantly for the entire year. But this victory in Game 7 demonstrated our character, concern for one another, and faith in this team, their locker room, and each other.
Over the past two weeks, The Kraken have accomplished a number of firsts, including their first Game 7 victory. They will now make their first trip to the next round.
Who can predict what will happen next?
Hakstol said, “I want our guys to enjoy this, and they should. “We’re aware that there will be a short turnaround, but we’ll address that tomorrow. Appreciate the effort they made. Embrace your success. Regrouping, we’ll resume driving with full force.
About Kraken
The Seattle Kraken are a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League (NHL), based in Seattle, Washington. They were officially announced as the NHL’s 32nd franchise on December 4, 2018, and began playing in the 2021-22 season.
The team is named after the mythical sea creature, the Kraken, which has long been associated with the Pacific Northwest region. The team’s primary logo features a stylized “S” with an eye in the center, which represents the Kraken’s ability to spot its prey from afar.
The Kraken play their home games at the Climate Pledge Arena, a newly renovated multi-purpose arena located in Seattle’s downtown area. The arena has a seating capacity of 17,000 for hockey games and features state-of-the-art amenities and technology.
The team’s inaugural season was highly anticipated, and the Kraken did not disappoint, becoming the first expansion team in NHL history to win its first-ever home game. The Kraken’s roster is composed of a mix of seasoned veterans and young talent, and their playing style is known for its physicality and aggressive forechecking.
Overall, the Seattle Kraken have quickly become a beloved sports team in the Pacific Northwest, and their unique name and logo have helped to establish them as one of the most exciting and intriguing teams in the NHL.
