DENVER — Of course there are a lot of firsts for Seattle Kraken in their post-season debut.
The first playoff kick goal for the franchise (and the answer to a future trivia question): Eeli Tolvanen. First playoff penalty: Will Borgen.
Above all, victory in the first playoff and brief celebration.
Alex Wennberg got one goal and one assist, Philipp Grubauer stopped 34 shots and Kraken made his successful debut after the season beating the defending champion Stanley Cup Colorado avalanche 3-1 on Tuesday night.
Second-year Kraken became the 13th expansion franchise to win their first post-season game, according to NHL Stats.
“Obviously we played a good game, getting our first win in the knockout stages. But right now this is Game 1,” said Wennberg. “Obviously we’re happy with the performance, but we have to do it again and again.”
Grubauer was sharp all night against his old team. He let down Colorado’s top scorers with one brilliant save after another, while his defensive prowess helped neutralize Avalanche’s dizzying pace.
Grubauer, who spent three seasons with Avalanche before leaving Seattle ahead of the 2021-22 season, said: “It’s definitely a strange feeling to be back but also really familiar. “There’s nothing better than facing your old team in the knockout stages.”
Nathan MacKinnon did not interrupt when asked what he saw in Grubauer.
“Nothing,” said the Colorado forward.
Mikko Rantanen scored the only goal for Avalanche, which saw their first-round 10-match winning streak come to a halt. It is a sequence consisting of two scans and is dated to 2020.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said: “Our whole team wasn’t good enough. “I think we did some good things. Obviously they did a lot better.”
Alexander Georgievafter a career-best 40 wins, 27 saves.
Game 2 takes place on Thursday in Denver.
Kraken led 2-1 in the third inning. They almost automatically took the lead after two periods, going 35-1-3 in the regular season. eccentric Morgan sealed it with a tally in thirds.
Colorado pulled Georgiev one more skater when he was about 1:35 but couldn’t close the gap.
MacKinnon said: “Tonight wasn’t our best performance, but there’s still plenty of opportunity. “Now our focus is on continuing.”
Grubauer benefits from a bit of luck. a shot from Evan Rodrigues in the second half glanced off Grubauer’s clubhead and headed the net. Afterward, Bowen ByramHis wrist shot hit Grubauer in the shoulder and then bounced off the crossbar.
“[Grubauer] tonight is great,” Kraken forward pumpkin Yanni speak. “He’s made saves, and we can clear what’s in front of him. He’s a goalscorer there. It’s good to see him there.”
By taking a 1-0 lead, Seattle became the fourth team in the past 20 years to open the scoring in the first knockout. Tolvanen took advantage of Colorado revenue to power the Kraken and stunned the crowd.
The lead lasted just over nine minutes when Rantanen equalized thanks to a MacKinnon pass. Rantanen had 55 goals in the regular season, the most by an Avalanche player since the team moved to Denver before the 1995–96 season.
Don’t sleep on Seattle. Or perhaps do.
“They can do whatever you want,” Wennberg said of the skeptics. “Obviously it’s rooted in belief in the team right here. Everyone will have an opinion on how we’re playing now, but the focus is always on us. We have faith in this team. “
