Soucy scores twice for Kraken in win against Coyotes

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Carson Soucy scored twice for the Seattle Kraken in a 4-2 win against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena on Tuesday.

Morgan Geekie had a goal and an assist, and Daniel Sprong scored in his first game for the Kraken (20-38-6), who had lost 12 of 15 (3-10-2). Philipp Grubauer made 24 saves.
"It was a hard-working game for us, pretty consistent throughout," Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. "We got a little bit sloppy with the puck at times and it cost us a couple of chances. But the guys did a really good job of regaining composure."
Nick Schmaltz and Nick Ritchie scored for the Coyotes (20-39-4), who have lost three straight after winning six of seven. Karel Vejmelka made 35 saves after signing a three-year contract Monday.
"With what we're trying to do here, I don't think that's the best effort we can put out there," Arizona defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere said. "I think everyone will agree with that."
Soucy gave the Kraken a 3-2 lead at 17:18 of the second period with his second goal, a wrist shot from the edge of the left face-off circle. It was the defenseman's second two-goal game in the NHL (Jan. 20, San Jose Sharks).

Geekie made it 4-2 at 12:38 of the third period off a cross-ice pass by Jared McCann.
The Coyotes gave up three consecutive goals after taking a 2-1 lead.
"I saw a lack of fight, a lack of soul a little bit. We have a lot of frustration, for whatever reason," Arizona coach Andre Tourigny said. "Instead of regrouping and pushing all together, we can see a lot of frustration.
"It's tough put your finger on it. You can feel it, you can see it. The why' andhow' to get out of it, that's the million-dollar question."
After no goals for nearly a period and a half, there were five goals in a span of 9:07 in the second.
"We weren't able to get the first goal, but we responded well," Soucy said. "That's big for our team where we are right now, to keep responding, keep fighting after they get the lead."
Schmaltz gave the Coyotes a 1-0 lead at 8:11 with a one-timer from the slot on a power play, but the Kraken scored 18 seconds later when Soucy tied it 1-1 at 8:29 with a wrist shot as two teammates screened Vejmelka.
"I just try to get it in there when I see numbers in front," Soucy said. "Obviously on that first goal, the goalie didn't see it. I think that's a good job by our forwards getting to the net."

Seattle and Arizona each went into the game with 44 points, tied with the Montreal Canadiens for the fewest in the NHL.
"The first period wasn't too good, we were lucky to come out of that one 0-0," Gostisbehere said. "You go up a little bit in the game and then you think you've settled down, but we always seem to give up that next goal immediately."
Ritchie scored on a breakaway for a 2-1 lead at 9:13, the second Arizona goal in 1:02. Ritchie has scored six goals in 12 games since being acquired in a trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 19.
Sprong's power-play goal tied it 2-2 at 13:39. Coyotes defenseman Kyle Capobianco was off for interfering with Sprong, who was traded to the Kraken by the Washington Capitals on Monday.
"I was a little snakebit in Washington, but I can shoot the puck," said Sprong, who hadn't scored since Feb. 1 (10 games). "I got an opportunity and I made the most of it."
Soucy liked how the Kraken responded after six regulars were traded at the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline on Monday.
"It's tough to lose friends but it's still a business, and you've got to make the most of it," Soucy said.
NOTES: Soucy had a game-high eight shots on goal after never having more than four in his previous 153 NHL games. … Sprong had five shots in 11:24. … Seattle forward Joonas Donskoi had three shots and two hits in 13:05 after missing four games with an upper-body injury. … Kraken forward Yanni Gourde had his three-game goal streak (four goals) and six-game point streak end (seven points) end. … Arizona forward Phil Kessel played his 963rd consecutive game, one short of tying Doug Jarvis for second on the NHL list. Kessel needs two goals for 400 in his NHL career. … Schmaltz has scored three goals in two games against the Kraken. … Coyotes forward Clayton Keller had an assist and has scored 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in the past 10 games.