Kraken looks to end Jets’ undefeated start – Field Level Media – Professional sports content solutions

Last Saturday, the Seattle Kraken handed the previously undefeated Calgary Flames a 2-1 overtime defeat.

The Kraken will look to put another team’s first blemish on Thursday when they host the Winnipeg Jets, who have won their first six games.

The Jets opened a three-game road trip with a 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Kyle Connor scored for the fourth straight game, Cole Perfetti had three assists and Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves, helping Winnipeg extend its best start to a season in franchise history.

“It was a great away win,” said Perfetti. “A good start to the trip. There were times when they made good advances and we responded well. It was a great second period and we scored some timely goals. It was a great performance by our group.”

Winnipeg scored all three goals in the second period. Nino Niederreiter’s power play tally tied the game at 1-1 before Colin Miller and Connor gave the visitors the lead for good.

“I thought we were really good in the second half,” Jets coach Scott Arniel said. “We got out of our zone a lot quicker and got there quicker. We won a number of battles and of course scored points. We scored a power play goal and another goal. And then it started again. We got them going a little bit again.”

Connor added: “We just stuck with it. Same plan (as in the first period). Obviously it’s frustrating not being able to capitalize on some of these opportunities with a lot of zone time. I stuck with it. Obviously (Colin) Miller’s goal was huge for us to kind of get us going. Not being frustrated was the biggest thing. I think we did a mature job of doing what we do best.”

The Kraken ended their three-game winning streak on Tuesday with a 3-2 home loss to the Colorado Avalanche.

Jared McCann scored his 100th goal with the Kraken, becoming the first player in the franchise’s four-year history to reach the milestone.

“Obviously it would have been a lot nicer with a win,” McCann said, “but I have a lot of people to thank for that.” Obviously, it meant a lot to me and my family to be here with this organization, to have the opportunity, somewhere to stay and play.”

The Kraken were without defenseman Vince Dunn (upper-body injury), who was placed on long-term injured reserve on Monday.

“Somebody has to come forward,” McCann said. “We have to compete together. Obviously (Dunn) is a big loss. He is a big part of this team. But injuries happen all the time in this league and it’s a chance for a young man to step up and make a difference.”

Defenseman Ryker Evans also scored a goal for the Kraken on Tuesday, but his power play tally came with 3.5 seconds left.

Seattle coach Dan Bylsma agreed with McCann that others will have to fill the void left by Dunn.

“I think Vince is a guy that seems to be able to find the right play at the right time, both passing and shooting, to set us up for a goal,” Bylsma said. “But we have a lot of others in the background who will step in and do it. Monty (Brandon Montour) is that guy. Lars (Adam Larsson) is that guy, and Ryker is that guy, like he was (Tuesday).

“But I think we have to become a slightly more determined attacking team if we want to score more goals.”

–Field level media