Site icon Sound Of Hockey

Three Takeways – Seattle Kraken blank the Vancouver Canucks 5-0

Blaiz Grubic

The Seattle Kraken wrapped up their season series against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday night with a commanding 5-0 victory at Rogers Arena. Despite missing top goal scorers Jaden Schwartz and Eeli Tolvanen due to undisclosed reasons, the Kraken never looked out of sync. Per the Kraken Hockey Network broadcast, both are considered day-to-day. Ryan Winterton was recalled from Coachella Valley on an emergency basis, signaling that the absences are injury or illness related.

The Kraken were tested early with a couple penalties—first Jamie Oleksiak for holding at 1:55, followed by Mikey Eyssimont for hooking at the five-minute mark. But the penalty killers held firm, and Eyssimont quickly redeemed himself, opening the scoring late in the first period. From that point on, Seattle never looked back.

Goals were added by Chandler Stephenson, Shane Wright, Andre Burakovsky and an empty-net goal by Adam Larsson.

Takeaway #1: Mikey Eyssimont is fun to watch

Eyssimont continues to make the most of his opportunity in the lineup. The scrappy forward notched his third goal as a Kraken, beating Thatcher Demko five-hole after Canucks forward Jake DeBrusk flubbed a pass in the neutral zone. The sequence was equal parts opportunistic and skilled, highlighting Eyssimont’s ability to capitalize on chaos.

He nearly added a second goal in the third period, ringing a shot off the post after driving hard to the net. But goals alone don’t define his impact. Eyssimont was noticeable all night, buzzing around on the forecheck and getting under the skin of the Canucks players. He played with the energy of someone who knows every shift counts—and made each one matter.

What stands out most is how Eyssimont has become a tone-setter for the fourth line. Whether he’s pressuring defenders into mistakes, chipping in on the cycle, or finishing a check, he brings consistent pressure. His ability to frustrate opponents and energize teammates adds depth to a lineup that needs all hands on deck with key scorers sidelined.

Takeaway #2: Kraken starting on time

For the fourth game in a row, Seattle scored the opening goal. Starting on time has been a key focus for this group all season, and the early advantage gave them control of the pace. While that fast start didn’t lead to wins in their back-to-back losses to Dallas, it kept them competitive deep into those games. This time, the strong start translated to a full 60-minute effort.

Vancouver didn’t play a poor game, but Seattle appeared to be the more patient and opportunistic team. The Kraken waited for chances and made the most of them when they came.

Joey Daccord was calm and composed between the pipes, turning away all 25 shots he faced for his third shutout of the season. His best save came midway through the first period. With the game still scoreless, Conor Garland found Drew O’Connor wide open for a short-handed chance. Daccord read it perfectly, snagging the puck with his glove and holding the line. Less than two minutes later, Eyssimont scored to give Seattle a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

https://soundofhockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Daccord_glove_save.mov

Daccord’s performance was backed by a disciplined defensive effort. The Kraken killed off three penalties, including two in the first seven minutes, and shut down Vancouver’s power play entirely.

Takeaway #3: Playing the role of spoiler

With the Canucks clinging to the slimmest of playoff hopes, every point matters. Seattle didn’t do their Pacific Northwest rivals any favors, handing them a deflating 5-0 loss and potentially sealing their postseason fate.

The Canucks now sit eight points out of a wild card spot with only seven games remaining. According to MoneyPuck, their playoff odds have dropped to 1.64 percent. Making matters worse, the St. Louis Blues—who currently hold the final wild card position—have rattled off 10 straight wins.

Seattle will have two more chances to play spoiler in the final weeks. They’ll face the Utah Hockey Club on April 8 and the red-hot Blues on April 12. While their own playoff hopes may be dashed, the Kraken can still shape the Western Conference picture—and maybe, just maybe, build some momentum for next season.

Bonus takeway: Li’l Jani is a big man

Jani Nyman showed he’s not afraid of the moment—or the opponent—in the third period. After a whistle, Nyman gave a solid shove to defenseman Elias Pettersson, sparking a five-player pile-on from the Canucks. Undeterred, Nyman stood his ground. As the scrum cleared, he pointed straight at Pettersson and, based on my admittedly questionable lip-reading skills, appeared to say, “Me and you. Fight.”

The bout never materialized, but the moment said a lot. Nyman may be new to the NHL and still finding his footing, but he’s not shrinking from the spotlight. His willingness to mix it up, especially in a blowout game, speaks to the kind of edge and confidence that bodes well for his future.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Exit mobile version