National Hockey League
Seattle 4, Minnesota 1
When: 10:00 PM ET, Thursday, October 28, 2021
Where: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington
Referees: Steve Kozari, Brandon Schrader
Linesmen: Brandon Gawryletz, Bevan Mills
Attendance: 17151

Defenseman Haydn Fleury scored twice as the expansion Seattle Kraken put together the first winning streak in franchise history, defeating the visiting Minnesota Wild 4-1 on Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena.

Brandon Tanev and Mark Giordano added empty-net goals in the final minute and goaltender Philipp Grubauer made 30 saves for the Kraken, who won their second straight after a 5-1 victory against Montreal on Tuesday.

Ryan Hartman scored for Minnesota, which has lost two of its last three after opening the season with a four-game winning streak. Goalie Cam Talbot stopped 34 of 36 shots.

Fleury's go-ahead goal, at 7:33 of the second period, was of the highlight-reel variety. The expansion draft selection from the Anaheim Ducks took a pass near the point from Ryan Donato, faked a slap shot and skated past a defender down the left wing.

Fleury's initial, close-range wrist shot was stopped by Talbot, but the rebound dropped behind the goal line and Fleury picked it up and put a wraparound inside the right post before the goalie could recover.

Tanev's empty-netter with one minute remaining, assisted by Yanni Gourde, was his team-leading sixth goal of the season. Giordano scored at 19:52, assisted by Riley Sheahan.

Minnesota opened the scoring at 6:27 of the first period as Hartman flicked a one-timer past Grubauer from between the hash marks after taking a pass from Kirill Kaprizov from behind the net. Marcus Foligno also got an assist.

The Kraken tied it at 13:23 as Fleury's shot from the point made its way past a screened Talbot. Jaden Schwartz made a pass off the boards from behind the net to get the puck to Fleury. Joonas Donskoi also was credited with an assist.

Talbot had his season-opening winning streak snapped at five games, one shy of the franchise record set by Manny Fernandez in 2002-03.

The Wild were without forwards Mats Zuccarello and Rem Pitlick, who both entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol earlier in the day.

Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy was a healthy scratch, so he didn't get to play against his former team.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Seattle
Ryan Hartman 1 Points Haydn Fleury 2
Ryan Hartman 1 Goals Haydn Fleury 2
Marcus Foligno 1 Assists Ryan Donato 1
N/A Power Play Goals N/A
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Cam Talbot .944 Save Percentage Philipp Grubauer .968
Cam Talbot 34 Saves Philipp Grubauer 30
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Minnesota 31 1 0-2 4-4 8 29
Seattle 38 4 0-4 2-2 4 26
Upcoming Games
  • Seattle will play their next game at home against NY Rangers. The Kraken have a W/L % of .333 after a win and .400 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against Colorado. The Wild have a W/L % of .600 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.