Jordan Eberle Spearheads Seattle’s Comeback Win Against Minnesota

In an electrifying display of skill, Jordan Eberle led the Seattle Kraken to a thrilling 5-4 triumph over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night. Eberle showed his mettle, scoring twice in regulation and sealing the deal in the shootout. Seattle’s victory also saw significant contributions from Tye Kartye and Jared McCann, who added their names to the scoresheet. Providing crucial support, Andre Burakovsky pitched in with two assists.

Joey Daccord, manning the net for Seattle, displayed his prowess with 34 stops in his inaugural start after securing a five-year extension on Wednesday.

The Shootout and the Sealing Strike

The first round of the shootout saw goals from Mats Zuccarello for Minnesota and Seattle’s Oliver Bjorkstrand. Following a miss from the Wild’s Kirill Kaprizov, Eberle stepped up to the plate and delivered. The win was consolidated when Daccord denied Matt Boldy’s strike.

The Wild’s offence was sparked by Kaprizov, who notched a goal and two assists, while Zuccarello and Boldy found the net for the second consecutive game. Ryan Hartman also contributed a goal. Marc-Andre Fleury, in his first start of the season, made 30 saves.

Third Period Thrills and Spills

The teams entered the third period locked at 2-2. Kaprizov deflected a shot from Marco Rossi at 1:41, but Kartye retaliated with a goal just over a minute later. With less than eight minutes remaining, Hartman converted a pass from Boldy to give Minnesota a 4-3 advantage. This was short-lived as McCann fired a one-timer from the right circle to even the score four minutes later.

Key Adjustments and Incidents

The Kraken made strategic changes, swapping second- and third-line centers with Shane Wright joining Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle on the second line, and Matty Beniers slotting in between Eeli Tolvanen and Bjorkstrand.

Minnesota had to navigate much of the game without center Joel Eriksson Ek, who sustained an elbow to the face from Adam Larsson. Despite returning with a full cage on his helmet for the third period, Ek could only manage one shift. In another incident, left wing Marcus Johansson was escorted to the dressing room after a mid-ice collision with Eberle, though he re-entered before the period concluded.

Key Takeaways and Upcoming Encounters

Eberle’s goal 40 seconds after Boldy’s power-play strike early in the second period was a turning point, giving the Kraken a much-needed boost. Boldy ended the game with two goals and three assists in his first two appearances, while Kaprizov tallied a goal and three assists, and Zuccarello added two goals and an assist.

The Kraken next set their sights on Dallas on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Wild face Winnipeg on Sunday, the first in a sequence of seven consecutive away games.