J.T. Miller, Canucks push past Kraken in shootout

Field Level Media|published: Fri 3rd January, 01:17 2025

Jan 2, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Conor Garland (8) shoots and scores a goal past Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

J.T. Miller scored the lone shootout goal as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the host Seattle Kraken 4-3 on Thursday night.

Max Sasson, Conor Garland and Tyler Myers scored in regulation for the Canucks, who won for just the second time in their past seven games (2-2-3).

Vancouver goaltender Thatcher Demko stopped 11 of 12 shots before leaving at 7:49 of the second period after sustaining an apparent lower-body injury in a collision with teammate Noah Juulsen.

Kevin Lankinen replaced Demko and made 13 saves on 15 shots the rest of the way in regulation and overtime. In the shootout, the Kraken twice missed the target, and Lankinen made one save.

Matty Beniers and Vince Dunn had a goal and an assist apiece and Chandler Stephenson also scored for Seattle, which had a two-game winning streak snapped. The streak included a historic 5-4 overtime victory on Saturday at Vancouver when the Kraken became just the third team in NHL history to win after trailing by three goals in the final five minutes of regulation.

Philipp Grubauer, making his third straight start for the injured Joey Daccord (upper body), stopped 19 of 22 attempts.

Dunn scored on a wrist shot from the blue line with 52.5 seconds remaining as the Kraken rallied from a two-goal deficit in the final 11 minutes of regulation.

Stephenson gave the Kraken the lead at 1:52 of the first period as he snuck a wrist shot from just outside the left faceoff dot between Demko's pads.

The Canucks tied the score at 13:17 of the opening period. Nils Hoglander's centering pass through the slot went off the skate of teammate Danton Heinen and deflected to Sasson at the top of the crease. Sasson banged the puck past Grubauer before the goalie could react.

At 7:49 of the second period, Garland scored on a breakaway after defenseman Derek Forbort forced a turnover while the Kraken were trying to enter the offensive zone. Phil Di Giuseppe sent a long lead pass to Garland, who faked to his backhand and stuffed a forehander past Grubauer for a 2-1 lead.

Myers gave the Canucks a two-goal lead with a wrist shot from the top of the right faceoff circle at 5:35 of the third.

The Kraken pulled within 3-2 on a power-play goal by Beniers at 9:05 of the third, off a nifty passing combination from Brandon Montour and Shane Wright.

--Field Level Media

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