McCann scores 30th goal in Kraken win against Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS --Jared McCann scored his 30th goal of the season, and the Seattle Kraken defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 at Nationwide Arena on Friday.

McCann, who also had an assist, is the first player in Seattle's two seasons to score 30 goals. He has scored in three straight games (four goals) and reached 30 for the first time in nine NHL seasons.
"It's great, but at the same time we're still trying to accomplish something as a team and we have a great group of guys in here that I'm happy to help us win games," McCann said.

Alex Wennberg had a goal and an assist, Vince Dunn had two assists, and Philipp Grubauer made 21 saves for the Kraken (35-21-6), who have won three in a row, including a 5-4 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.
Seattle remained tied for third in the Pacific Division with the Edmonton Oilers, who defeated the Winnipeg Jets 6-3 on Friday.
"We played start to finish," Kraken coach Dave Hakstol said. "We [were] pretty consistent throughout. A lot of specialty teams (four power plays for each team); a little too much on a back to back, rather see a little more 5-on-5. But a really consistent effort."
Patrik Laine and Adam Boqvist each had a goal and an assist, and Elvis Merzlikins made 31 saves for the Blue Jackets (20-36-6), who had a three-game point streak end (2-0-1).
"It wasn't like it was a terrible effort," Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. "I know there's another level of competitiveness at the puck that's going to be required, that we could have killed a lot more plays and had the puck more."

Boqvist tied it 2-2 at 4:53 of the third period when he gathered a shot by Laine that was partially blocked by Morgan Geekie and scored from the slot.
Wennberg then restored Seattle's lead at 7:12 on a power play. After receiving a pass from Eeli Tolvanen atop the crease with his back to the net, he turned and slid the puck under the right pad to make it 3-2.
Wennberg, who played six seasons with the Blue Jackets, ended a 12-game goal drought.
"It's really nice to get that goal; the last time I scored was against Columbus as well (Jan. 28)," Wennberg said. "It's nice to have success and score against your former team, but right now it doesn't matter who scores, it's important to win the game."
Brandon Tanev scored an empty-net goal at 19:12 for the 4-2 final.
"Really consistent effort. I liked our third period," Hakstol said. "We came out and were on our toes in the third period. Could have easily stretched the lead in the first part of that period; that didn't happen, but we responded well and were able to close out the game."

Laine gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 10:18 of the second period, scoring from the left face-off circle on a power play after receiving a pass by Boqvist, who stopped a clearing attempt at the right point.
McCann tied it 1-1 at 13:20, also scoring from the left circle on a power play and Jordan Eberle made it 2-1 at 14:08, scoring on a rebound in the slot.
"I think we took our foot off the gas a little bit in the second period," Laine said. "We gave up way too many slap shots and chances in front of the net. That type of team, they're going to use it pretty good."
Kraken forward Oliver Bjorkstrand, who played seven seasons with Columbus, returned for the first time since being traded July 22, 2022. He had one assist before leaving at 5:53 of the third period with a lower-body injury. There was no update after the game.
NOTES:McCann (four goals, four assists) and Dunn (two goals, five assists) each extended their point streaks to five games. … Tolvanen has 24 points (12 goals, 12 assists) in 41 games this season, surpassing his career-high set last season in 75 games with Nashville. He had four points (two goals, two assists) in 13 games with the Predators before being claimed off waivers Dec. 12. … The Blue Jackets announced earlier Friday that forward Sean Kuraly will be out six weeks after sustaining a left oblique strain during practice Thursday. Lane Pederson played in his place and had one shot on goal and one hit in 8:21 of ice time. … Merzlikins lost for the first time in regulation in four starts (1-1-2).