Final Buzzer: Breaking Through

Forty-three seconds after Jaden Schwartz gave the Kraken a 2-1 lead in the second period of Sunday's 5-2 victory over the high-flying Washington Capitals, Calle Jarnkrok sent an outlet pass to Yanni Gourde. The high-energy alternate captain streaked up ice on the left side, skating deep into the Washington defensive zone before sending a cross-ice pass to defenseman Adam Larsson.

Larsson took full advantage of joining the offensive play by shooting quickly past Caps goalie Vitek Vanecek once the puck hit his stick blade. Larsson, a no-nonsense-on-ice defender, raised his arms in boyish celebration and the authentic Washington State ferry horn blared.
Those pair of goals now stand as the fastest two Kraken goals ever scored - a record that will be fun to see broken. It also represented a 3-1 Seattle lead seven minutes into the second period after the game started with the Kraken yet again yielding the first goal.
Larsson was smiling when he skated and high-fived (or side-fived) teammates in a traditional post-goal ritual of congratulations. The entire Kraken fanbase was grinning at this point and likely feeling a bit of relief with the joy.
"We scored on our chances," said Larsson, who was even more instrumental on the Kraken penalty-kill units that prevented any scores on four Washington power plays. "Let's build on this. Remember how we played, remember how it feels."

Jarnkrok Breaks Through

Of course, it wouldn't be hard for Kraken fans to let a little bit of worry creep into the proceedings. After all, one Capitals goal would make it a one-goal game.
Jarnkrok eased the worry with the Kraken's fourth goal of the night - and the Swedish forward's first in a Seattle uniform.
The scoring play started in the Kraken defensive zone with Schwartz tipping out the puck to create the rush. Jarnkrok picked up speed and the puck while Schwartz joined alongside. Jarnkrok faked a pass to Schwartz (who had a goal and three assists on the night), then did the rest with a wicked shot past Vanecek's glove into the upper right corner.
"It felt good but took much longer than I wanted," Jarnkrok said about netting his first goal of the season.
When asked what was different about Sunday or inspired the victory, Jarnkrok was practical in his reply: "Maybe we were just sick and tired of losing games."

Killing It on the 'PK'

Washington's power play is loaded, featuring No. 4 all-time NHL goal scorer Alex Ovechkin and assist-machine and man-advantage quarterback John Carlson. But the Kraken penalty-kill units skunked the Capitals during four penalty calls on Seattle players.
None were bigger than a third-period "kill" with Gourde in the penalty box for goalie interference. Philipp Grubauer came up big with timely saves during the man-down situation despite elite PK man Gourde not available.
The "Gruuuuuu" chants were frequent in the third period as an Ovechkin goal made it 4-2 and gave tired Capitals legs some life. Sunday was the second night of back-to-back games with the Caps arriving from San Jose a couple hours after midnight.

Ovechkin Hard to Keep Off Scoresheet

Ovechkin made it 4-2 three minutes into the final period, taking a loose puck to the net. Grubauer got a piece of it, but Ovechkin notched his 745th career goal.
The Caps fans in attendance didn't get to see local favorite T.J. Oshie (out with a "day to day" injury) but can now say they saw Ovechkin score in Seattle. They almost witnessed a second score with 5:24 remaining, when Ovechkin shot from mid-range but Grubauer fully stretched and gloved the puck.

Fan Appreciation

Both Grubauer and coach Dave Hakstol talked about the noise and fan loyalty here inside Climate Pledge Arena. Grubauer referred to Friday's Colorado loss, saying, "it is 7-0 and the fans are still cheering us on."
Grubauer made it clear that doesn't happen in every hockey city: "We wanted to come out and give our fans what they want."
"Coming out of Friday, that game stings," said Hakstol, adding the team's mindset was to reward a fanbase for "how much support we got" in a game that got out of hand.
"Every place is not like here," Hakstol said.

First Period ... From Uh-Oh to One-One

The first period started all too familiar for Kraken players, coaches, front office and fans. Washington scored first, three-and-a-half minutes into the game.
When Jeremy Lauzon lost the puck to a hassling Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov behind the Kraken net, it led to a Tom Wilson wrist-shot goal past Grubauer on the first Washington shot of the night.
No doubt "Here we go again" was a dominating first thought of the 17,151 in attendance at Climate Pledge Arena, those fans watching or listening and, in all likelihood, among the Seattle players.
The sinking feeling probably continued for fans who watched the Kraken respond to the early goal with formidable offensive pressure - only to be turned away by solid work by Vanecek, who made 10 saves in the first 14 minutes.
One highlight - or lowlight - was Gourde getting robbed by Vanecek after an artful pass threaded net front by Schwartz. The shot looked like it might cross the goal line airborne after Vanecek partially blocked it. But Vanecek swiped at the puck with his glove hand in time for a whistle and faceoff rather than a goal and ensuing ferry horn.

Final Three-Plus Minutes

With Washington at 31 shots on goal, Lauzon was sent to the penalty box for the second time and a fourth Capitals power play. Grubauer made his 30th save of the night early in the penalty kill, then Washington coach Peter Laviolette called a timeout.
Another Grubauer save, Laviolette pulls his goalie. Chaos in front of the net and a 34th shot is smothered by Grubauer with 1:56 remaining.
Grubauer stands in for more shots and multiple "Gruuuu" fan calls.
Then just like that - whew! - Brandon Tanev was motoring the puck out of the Kraken zone and getting it on the stick of Gourde for the empty-netter to set off mayhem at Climate Pledge Arena. 5-2 final, losing streak over.

Throw the Fish

The three stars of the game, all provided a plush salmon to toss to crowd: No. 3 Jarnkrok (first goal of season plus assist), No. 2 Grubauer (37 saves, told the crowd "you guys are everything" during on-ice post-game interview) and No. 1 Schwartz (a goal and three assists).