The Seattle Kraken defeated the Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in Game 7 of their first-round series on Sunday.
The Kraken will face the Dallas Stars in the next round, after eliminating the defending Stanley Cup champions.
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored both goals for the Kraken, while Philipp Grubauer stopped 33 shots.
Mikko Rantanen scored the Avalanche goal and Nathan MacKinnon had an assist. Alexandrar Georgiev made 25 saves.
The Avalanche quickly established their rhythm in the first period. Starting halfway through the first period, the Avalanche players tested the Kraken defensemen and goaltender with quick zone entries and several good shots from the slot.
The Avalanche fired nine straight shots against the Kraken in more than five minutes of play, before seeing Eeli Tolvanen snap that streak with 4:49 left in the first period. The Avalanche finished the period with 16 shots on goal, compared to just six for the Kraken.
The Kraken recovered well in the second period, however, settling in the offensive zone and shooting the net a few times to start the second period. The NHL’s newest expansion team scored the game’s first goal for the seventh time in as many games in the series.
Bjorkstrand attempted to pass to Brandon Tanev in front of the net, but the puck deflected past and snuck into the net for the game’s first goal.
A few minutes later, Bjorkstrand scored his second goal of the game speeding past the Avalanche defensemen to get a good chance against the goaltender.
Tolvanen, along with Yanni Gourde, who also helped set up the first goal, had assists on Bjorkstrand’s second of the game.
In the last seconds of the engagement, Rantanen gave hope to his people. With 26.9 seconds left, MacKinnon fired a good slap shot that hit the back of his teammate in front of the net to make it 2-1 before the second intermission.
MacKinnon thought he had tied the game early in the third period, but the goal was reviewed and disallowed due to offside.
Despite the disallowed goal, the Avalanche continued to control the puck in opposing territory. Grubauer had to stand out with a few important saves to keep his team ahead.
Bjorkstrand hit the post with two minutes left in the game following a defensive turnover from the Avalanche, which could have cost the team a third goal.
The Avalanche retired their goaltender late in the game, but were unable to tie the game.
