Friday night, the Seattle Kraken celebrated Women in Hockey Night, and the boys honored the occasion with a 4-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club. The fans at Climate Pledge Arena were still riding the high from Seattle’s thrilling comeback victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday and brought the energy to help will the team to another comeback triumph. This is the 18th come-from-behind win for the Kraken this season. Here are Three Takeaways.
Takeaway #1: Grubauer stands tall
This was Philipp Grubauer’s first game back in front of the home crowd since being waived and sent down to Coachella Valley, and the “Gruuuuuuuu” chants were heard throughout the night. Grubauer secured his second win in as many starts, delivering a performance that silenced critics who claim he never makes the big save or steals a game. On this night, he stole the game from Utah, making several key stops to keep the Kraken within striking distance and later preserving the lead.
Gru comes up huge with a point-blank save! 🚫 Keeps the #SeaKraken within one. 5:46 left in the second. pic.twitter.com/vGNQ2B91R1
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 15, 2025
They might have handed out the save of the game too early—because Gru just delivered a beauty! 🚫🔥 #SeaKraken hold onto their 3-2 lead with 6:48 remaining! pic.twitter.com/8FAJEZaEJI
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 15, 2025
Grubauer described his time in Coachella Valley as a chance to find his rhythm, saying, “[It’s about] reading the game. There are different situations against different teams, each with unique tendencies, and just seeing those game situations better.”
With a .939 save percentage over his last two starts, the German Gentleman has clearly found that rhythm. He was awarded the first star of the night and also earned the Kraken belt.
Takeaway #2: Bend, don’t break
Seattle got off to a dream start, with Eeli Tolvanen scoring his 20th goal of the season just 51 seconds into the game. But the momentum slowed after the opening 10 minutes, and Utah capitalized, with Nick Schmaltz tying the game before the first intermission. The sluggishness continued into the second period, and after a turnover in the neutral zone, Utah had a 3-on-2 rush that ended with Kevin Stenlund scoring into an open net to take a 2-1 lead at 7:35 of the second.
At that point, the Kraken could have folded, but instead, they dug in. A momentum-shifting hit from Jared McCann helped spark the comeback:
McCann delivers a big open-ice hit! 💥 Keller briefly considers dropping the gloves but wisely thinks better of it. Maybe this is the spark the #SeaKraken need! pic.twitter.com/Gfuvaxy2It
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 15, 2025
That hit energized the crowd again, and before the period was over, a lucky bounce off Brandon Montour’s skate found the back of the net to tie the game 2-2.
Head coach Dan Bylsma described the third period as “chaotic.” Grubauer continued to stand tall, and after a disallowed goal for Jaden Schwartz, Kaapo Kakko finally gave Seattle a 3-2 lead with a wraparound goal off a defensive miscue behind the net.
The Choco Taco delivers! 🌮🔥 Kakko buries a slick wrap-around goal off a turnover behind the net, giving the #SeaKraken a 3-2 lead! That’s his 11th of the season! pic.twitter.com/7uPW0iOdU7
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 15, 2025
The Kraken never looked back, with Tolvanen adding an empty-netter to seal the 4-2 win.
Takeaway #3: Montour, Tolvanen, and Eberle playing well
Outside of the second period, several Kraken players had strong performances, whether it was generating offense, killing penalties, or delivering key hits. Three players stood out, though: Brandon Montour, Eeli Tolvanen, and Jordan Eberle.
Eberle, the Kraken captain, notched two assists, extending his scoring streak to three games. He now has six points (one goal, five assists) over that span, with all five of his assists being primary helpers. Despite hearing he would need time to get his legs back, Eberle looks back to form after returning from his serious pelvis injury. This three-game stretch is his most productive of the season.
Montour scored his 16th goal of the season, tying his career high, and he now has five points in two games (three goals, two assists). He is currently on pace for 46 points, which would be the second-best total of his career. The smooth-skating defenseman jumped into the play and got rewarded when an Eberle pass deflected off his skate and into the net. Alison Lukan said it best, “They don’t ask ‘how?’ They ask ‘how many?'”
Tolvanen, meanwhile, has caught fire, scoring three goals in the last two games to give him the first 20-goal season of his career. His goals on Friday night were his 20th and 21st of the season, and Bylsma praised him postgame, saying, “He’s got 14 more [games] to go. I think he can get to 25 [goals], and that would be an exceptional season for him.”
What’s next for the Kraken?
Seattle faces a tough test in its next game, as the league-leading Winnipeg Jets come to town on March 16. The matchup will also mark Brandon Tanev’s return to Seattle since being traded on March 7. The Kraken are 0-1-1 against the Jets this season, with both losses coming in tightly contested one-goal games. Expect another hard-fought battle, as the Kraken look to continue their stretch of positive play since the trade deadline.
Blaiz Grubic
Blaiz Grubic is a contributor at Sound Of Hockey. A passionate hockey fan and player for over 30 years, Blaiz grew up in the Pacific Northwest and is an alumni of Washington State University (Go Cougs!). When he’s not playing, watching, or writing about hockey, he enjoys quality time with his wife and daughter or getting out on a golf course for a quick round. Follow @blaizg on BlueSky or X.
Yeah, a really outstanding game by Grubauer. Should silence the critics till his next outing. Tough game with Winnipeg coming up. A win will complete a sweep of the home stand and probably be the best stretch of games to a very disappointing season.
Nah I think it was time to give Joey a rest. He’s been fighting it a bit over the past few weeks.
Really like the energy these past 4 games. While I’m happy to see Grubauer playing well, I really hope this isn’t going to open the door for the team to give him another chance next season. It’s just past time to move on.
Nyman had more of a challenge last night. Felt like Utah’s defense pushed him harder than Montreal did. I’m assuming they probably had a better scouting report on him via the Roadrunners.
That said, I thought on Wednesday he looked better on the PP than 5-on-5 and I think he’d be better matched with Eberle and Stephenson.
And speaking of Stephenson…guess took the team lead in points last night with his assist on Tolvanen’s first goal?
How is it the worst forward in the NHL is leading his team in scoring? Is it maybe just possible that the analytics folks are missing something when it comes to Stephenson? Hard to believe he’s on pace to match his points from last season considering he’s played zero minutes with Mark Stone and three-hundred-ninety with Burakovsky.
Weird
Jets game is on the 16th
Thanks Foist. Fixed.
I just like to make sure you read until the end.
I kept waiting for Gru to let em in, but he really stood tall. What a great effort for him. He sure deserved that 1st star.
The team has been so fun to watch the past two games. Jani N is fun to watch but his locker room personality – that kid is comfortable in his own skin.
It seems like Utah proved a bit more of a challenge, especially during the power play. I wish they’d get that a bit more sorted out.
I can’t recall the last time I saw Grubauer straight-up “goalie” a team like that. “Sometimes the puck just hits you” is the best quote of the season.
What was up with McCann? Dude was playing mean, like he really does not like those other guys for whatever reason. It was pretty cool to see him grinning ear-to-ear Yanni Gourde-style while he was chirping. Speaking of things we rarely ever see, how long has it been since we have seen the Kraken clearly get under the other team’s skin like that? HC Utah was frustrated.
Vince Dunn looked good last night, like his old self. That long shift he shared with Brandon Montour was pretty impressive all things considered, and the rest of the night he was shut-down. Even his spring passes out of the corners were hitting Kraken tape on the regular.
The good feelings all-around are telling in a way. It’s like, since all the pressure to achieve is gone, the guys are just focusing on the here-and-now, which has gotten all that doubt and second-guessing out of their systems. At least that is what it looks like.