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There have been in fact so many “firsts” for the Seattle Kraken of their postseason debut.
First playoff objective for the franchise (and reply to a future trivia query) — Eeli Tolvanen. First playoff penalty — Will Borgen.
Above all, first playoff win and transient celebration.
Alex Wennberg had a objective and an help, Philipp Grubauer stopped 34 photographs and the Kraken made a profitable postseason debut by beating the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche 3-1 on Tuesday evening.
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Seattle Kraken heart Alex Wennberg (21) celebrates a objective in opposition to the Colorado Avalanche through the second interval of Sport 1 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff sequence Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photograph/Jack Dempsey)
The second-year Kraken turned the thirteenth enlargement franchise to earn a win of their first postseason game, based on NHL Stats.
“Clearly, we performed an excellent sport, getting the primary franchise win within the playoffs. However proper now that is Sport 1,” Wennberg mentioned. “Clearly, we’re comfortable about this efficiency, however we have to do it once more and do it once more.”
Grubauer was sharp all evening in opposition to his former crew. He pissed off Colorado’s prime scorers with one large save after one other, whereas his protection helped neutralize the Avalanche’s blazing pace.
“It’s positively a bizarre feeling coming again but additionally actually acquainted,” mentioned Grubauer, who spent three seasons with the Avalanche earlier than leaving for Seattle previous to the 2021-22 season. “There’s nothing higher than enjoying in opposition to your outdated crew within the playoffs.”
Nathan MacKinnon did not mince phrases when requested what he noticed out of Grubauer.
“Nothing,” the Colorado ahead mentioned.
Mikko Rantanen had the lone objective for the Avalanche, who noticed their streak of 10 straight first-round wins come to a halt. It was a string that included two sweeps and dated to 2020.
Colorado Avalanche heart Denis Malgin shoots in opposition to the Seattle Kraken through the first interval of Sport 1 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff sequence Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photograph/Jack Dempsey)
“Our complete crew simply wasn’t fairly adequate,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar mentioned. “I assumed we did some good issues. They clearly did extra good issues.”
RANGERS’ HOT START PROPELS THEM TO GAME 1 WIN OVER RIVAL DEVILS
Alexandar Georgiev, coming off a career-best 40-win season, made 27 saves.
Sport 2 is Thursday in Denver.
The Kraken took a 2-1 lead into the third. They have been just about computerized when main after two intervals, going 35-1-3 within the common season. Morgan Geekie sealed it with a tally within the third.
Colorado pulled Georgiev for an additional skater with round 1:35 left however could not shut the hole.
“Not our greatest execution tonight, however nonetheless had loads of possibilities,” MacKinnon mentioned. “Now our focus is to maneuver on.”
Grubauer benefitted from somewhat bit of excellent lucky. A shot from Evan Rodrigues within the second interval glanced off the highest of Grubauer’s stick and caromed large of the web. Later, Bowen Byram’s wrist shot hit Grubauer’s shoulder after which bounced off the crossbar.
“(Grubauer) was nice tonight,” Kraken ahead Yanni Gourde mentioned. “He made the saves and we had been in a position to clear up what was in entrance of us. He was a stud again there. Good to see him there.”
By leaping out to a 1-0 lead, Seattle turned the fourth crew previously 20 years to open the scoring in its first-ever playoff sport. Tolvanen capitalized on a Colorado turnover to energise the Kraken and stun the gang.
Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) eyes the puck because it flies over his head through the first interval in Sport 1 of the crew’s first-round NHL hockey playoff sequence in opposition to the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Denver (AP Photograph/Jack Dempsey)
The lead lasted simply over 9 minutes as Rantanen tied it up on a cross from MacKinnon. Rantanen had 55 objectives within the common season, essentially the most by an Avalanche participant for the reason that crew moved to Denver earlier than the 1995-96 season.
Do not sleep on Seattle. Or maybe do.
“They will do no matter you need,” Wennberg mentioned of the doubters. “Clearly it comes all the way down to the assumption within the group proper right here. Everybody goes to have an opinion about the best way we play now, however the focus is all the time going to be on us. We have now a perception on this group.”
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AROUND THE RINK
Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson was a late scratch with a lower-body harm. He was changed by Erik Johnson. … Ahead Andrew Cogliano was a scratch. … Colorado defenseman Josh Manson performed in his first sport since March 1. He was referred to as for a hooking penalty and later a maintain. “He was rusty at present,” Bednar mentioned. … Borgen drew the franchise’s first playoff penalty when he was referred to as for high-sticking within the second interval.
HISTORIC MEETING
This marked the fifth time an NHL franchise made its postseason debut in opposition to the defending champion. It additionally occurred with Columbus in 2009 (in opposition to Detroit), Washington in 1983 (New York Islanders), Hartford in 1980 (Montreal) and the New York Individuals in 1929 (New York Rangers).
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