PITTSBURGH – There are multiple Kraken personnel with ties to Pittsburgh, including both the team’s general manager and head coach both connected to glory postseasons. But it was two-time former Penguin and now Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak who revived the Kraken offensive attack Tuesday night in this snowy town, knotting the Kraken’s fourth road game in a half-dozen nights at two goals apiece eight minutes into the third period after Seattle managed just 10 shots on goal in the first 40 minutes.
Oliver Bjorkstrand picked up the assist, and after scoring his third goal of the season, Oleksiak celebrated by pointing his huge left hockey glove right at Bjorkstrand. An under-the-radar shift change, with Vince Dunn adroitly returning to the bench so a fresh-legged Oleksiak could zoom into the offensive zone.
“It was a good team effort,” said Oleksiak post-game, who worked in a defensive pair with Josh Mahura during the win. “We stuck with it works well as a five-man unit.”
The extra-large Oleksiak made quick work getting into a scoring lane but said he didn’t see the opportunity unfold as much as he just wanted to get in the Penguins zone.
“Ollie made a great play to the middle, and I kind of found a hole in the middle,” said Oleksiak, who has proved as an original Kraken he has a knack for scoring timely goals.
“It was a huge boost for everybody, seeing Rig put in the back of the net,” said Bylsma, who credited the entire Chandler Stephenson line (Andre Burakovsky on the other wing opposite Bjorkstrand) for keeping puck possession at the Pittsburgh end.
Oleksiak was happy to share credit with Daccord for clutch play: “Joey is a guy, night and night out, you really don't have to worry about him. He’s such a professional with his day-to-day and treats the game and just makes you want to play that much harder for him.”
Just 50 seconds later, the Kraken were rejoicing yet again when Eeli Tolvanen took a skill net-front pass from linemate Shane Wright to score the game-winner. Defenseman Josh Mahura made the goal happen with a surge below the goal line and curl to feed Wright. Kaapo Kakko scored an empty-net goal for his fourth Kraken goal, making it a 4-2 final.