McCann has hat trick, surging Kraken beat Chicago to make history
CHICAGO (AP) — Jared McCann had his first career hat trick and the Seattle Kraken beat the Chicago Blackhawks 8-5 on Saturday night for their record eighth straight victory.
Kraken 8, Blackhawks 5: The Stats
McCann scored twice in a five-goal flurry in a 3:41 span of the first period.
Star starters Matty Beniers and Oliver Bjorkstrand each had a goal and an assist and the Kraken won their seventh straight en route to becoming the first NHL team to go on a road trip of seven or more games.
Daniel Sprong, Andre Burakovsky and Eeli Tovanen also scored for Seattle.
Seattle improved to 26-12-4, one win shy of its total last season when it joined the NHL as an expansion franchise. Ryan Donato, Alex Wennberg and Yanni Gourde each had two assists.
The game was tied 1-all midway through the first when the Kraken surged ahead with five goals on six shots against last-place Chicago.
This box score does not deceive you. 🙉
The @SeattleKraken put up SIX GOALS in the opening 20th. 🦑 pic.twitter.com/GvVDe3mcyx
— NHL (@NHL) January 15, 2023
Beniers started the attack with his 17th goal, through a screen at 9:30. McCann and Burakovksy connected on prime chances 1:22 into the game to make it 4-1 and prompt Chicago coach Luke Richardson to replace goaltender Petr Mrazek with Alex Stalock.
Alone, Tolvanen beat Stalock just 37 seconds later. McCann ended the spree at 13:11, firing from the right circle between Stalock’s pads.
The Kraken began their eight-game road trip with a home win over the New York Islanders on New Year’s Day, then took on Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo and Boston before capping the trip with a sweep of Chicago.
Seattle and goaltender Martin Jones defeated Boston 3-0 on Thursday, handing the Bruins their first regulation loss at home this season. In that one, Jones made 22 saves for his seventh straight victory.
The Kraken had a seven-game winning streak earlier this season, from November 17th to December 1st.
Taylor Raddysh had a goal and two assists for Chicago, whose three-game hitting streak ended. Jonathan Toews, Maxi Domi, Isaak Phillips and Patrick Kane also scored for the Blackhawks.
Kane returned after missing three games with a lower-body injury.
Mrazek stopped just one of five shots. Stalock blocked 21 of 25 shots and heard derisive cheers from the crowd on routine saves as soon as he set up.
TOP PROSPECT BACK
With Kane’s return, the Blackhawks sent top prospect Lukas Reichel to Rockford of the AHL. During his three-game recall, the 20-year-old German forward scored his first NHL goal and had two assists.
Reichel, drafted 17th overall in 2020, had a bigger impact than in his previous four shortstops with Chicago over the past two seasons. However, the Blackhawks want him to improve his skills and consistency by playing more minutes in the minors.
“There are some things he still needs to improve on,” coach Luke Richardson said as he pointed to Reichel’s defensive zone play.
IT IS WORTH NOTING
McCann scored a career-high 27 goals last season. … Seattle F Jaden Schwartz sat out with an undisclosed injury. … Kraken F Jordan Eberle played in his 900th NHL game. … Stalock returned after sitting one game with an illness. G Jaxson Stauber returned to Rockford.
NEXT
Kraken: Host Tampa Bay on Monday night.
Blackhawks: Host Buffalo on Tuesday night.
Salk: It’s about time – the Kraken are among the NHL’s best and ready for attention
