In a thrilling matchup on Saturday, Jared McCann scored with just four seconds remaining in overtime, leading the Seattle Kraken to a 2-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights at Climate Pledge Arena. This pivotal goal marked the 400th point of McCann’s NHL career, showcasing his continued excellence on the ice.
Game Highlights and Key Performers
The game-winning goal came after Matty Beniers’ powerful slap shot from the high slot struck goalie Adin Hill in the chest. The rebound fell dangerously near the crease, allowing McCann to swiftly knock it into an open net as Hill was unable to recover in time. Beniers also contributed significantly to the game, scoring the Kraken’s first goal and assisting in the overall team effort. Vince Dunn further supported the team with two assists, helping Seattle achieve a historic 2-0-0 start for the first time in its franchise history. Meanwhile, goalie Joey Daccord made an impressive 26 saves, solidifying his position as a key player for the Kraken.
Seattle’s head coach praised the team for their performance against a strong opponent, emphasizing that their process is yielding positive results. He noted that the team’s effort would have been commendable regardless of the final score, highlighting the growing confidence within the franchise.
On the other side, Pavel Dorofeyev continued his scoring streak for Vegas, netting his fifth goal in just three games. The Golden Knights moved to 1-0-2 with this loss. Hill managed to stop 20 shots during the game, but it was Dorofeyev’s ability to keep his game simple and capitalize on opportunities that stood out. His recent performance follows a hat trick in the opening-night shootout loss to the Kings and another goal in an overtime victory against the Sharks.
Beniers opened the scoring on a power play at 7:58 of the second period, with Jordan Eberle setting up a creative pass below the goal line. Beniers skillfully maneuvered to his backhand and slid the puck around Hill’s left skate, putting the Kraken ahead. However, Dorofeyev responded by tying the game 1-1 with a power-play one-timer at 4:11 of the third period, finishing a precise feed from Mark Stone.
In summary, McCann’s overtime goal not only secured the win for Seattle but also set a new franchise record for the latest overtime goal, surpassing Jordan Eberle’s previous mark. As the season unfolds, both the Kraken and Golden Knights will look to build on their performances, with fans eager to see how the competition develops.