How the Kraken pushed defending champion Avalanche to brink of elimination
Kraken's Alex Wennberg's extraordinary feat in Game 5 gave his team a one-goal lead over the Avalanche. Despite losing his stick while killing a penalty in the final minute of the second period, Wennberg kept his cool and used his inherent soccer skills to dribble the puck forward with his skates and eluded onrushing Colorado Avalanche players, successfully getting the puck to the centre ice before Kraken reinforcements arrived. With the Kraken lineup's unsung contributions, including their solid goalie Philipp Grubauer, they were able to block enough shots to win the game. The Kraken's shared mentality on offense and defense is grinding down the Avalanche. The Kraken has 13 players who have scored in the playoff series, making it difficult for the Avalanche to key on one or two players.
Conversely, eight of 14 series goals for the Avalanche came from just two players - Mikko Rantanen and Nathan MacKinnon. MacKinnon, who has played over 27 minutes of ice time, is the only Avalanche player who logs the most ice time. This is contrasted with Kraken's Gourde, who had just over 22 minutes of ice time, followed by Wennberg at just over 20. Although the Kraken has remained composed throughout the series, the Avalanche has shown signs of mounting frustration in their inability to solve the combined Kraken effort. The Kraken has taken only two minor penalties in Game 5, showing their level of composure.
Kraken's Playoffs Series
The Seattle Kraken is a team that has quickly established a significant presence in the NHL. In their first-ever playoff appearance, they have the chance to dethrone the reigning Stanley Cup champions. One of the key players that have helped them get this far is Alex Wennberg. Wennberg's contribution to Game 5 was one of the most significant in the playoffs so far. Despite losing his stick while killing a penalty in the final minute of the second period, Wennberg remained calm and used his inherent soccer skills to dribble the puck forward with his skates, eluding onrushing Colorado Avalanche players, and getting the puck to the centre ice.
Kraken's Deep Lineup
The Kraken's deep lineup is a force to be reckoned with. They have been able to outplay the star-laden Avalanche with their small contributions throughout the lineup, often unnoticed on the score sheet. In Game 5, the Kraken didn't block as many shots as the Avalanche, but the ones they did were of the huge, welt-inducing variety, swinging the game's outcome. The Kraken has 13 players who have scored in the playoff series, making it difficult for the Avalanche to key on one or two players. With goals from Wennberg, Yanni Gourde, Eeli Tolvanen, Brandon Tanev, Jaden Schwartz, Daniel Sprong, Tye Kartye, Justin Schultz, Will Borgen, Jordan Eberle, Matty Beniers, Oleksiak, and Geekie, the Avalanche can't key on one or two guys.
Kraken's Mentality
The Kraken's mentality on offense and defense is grinding the Avalanche down. "We're blocking shots, we're taking big hits, and we're making big hits," said Wennberg, who helped set up Morgan Geekie for the Kraken's fifth consecutive game-opening goal this series - tying a century-old NHL record for a franchise's first playoff appearance. The Kraken's shared mentality on offense and defense has proven to be a formidable force. They have been working as five-man units, and everyone is doing their part, trying not to give the Avalanche too much time and space. They're limiting the Avalanche to create chances
Conclusion
Kraken secure 3-2 lead in the playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche after a hard-fought victory in Game 5. The game was dominated by the Kraken, who took the lead early in the first period with Morgan Geekie's goal, tying an NHL record for the most consecutive game-opening goals by a franchise in its first playoff appearance.
Throughout the game, the Kraken's deep lineup made small but significant contributions, including crucial blocked shots by Matty Beniers, Vince Dunn, Jamie Oleksiak, and Alex Wennberg. In the final minutes of the second period, Wennberg lost his stick during a penalty kill, but his soccer skills helped him to dribble the puck and evade the Avalanche's pressure.
Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer was outstanding once again, making some crucial saves to keep the Avalanche at bay. However, the Avalanche fought back in the third period, with goals from J.T. Compher and Mikko Rantanen, putting the Kraken under immense pressure.
But the Kraken held their nerve and defended resolutely to secure a crucial win. Tye Kartye scored the game-winning goal in his NHL debut, filling in for the injured Jared McCann. Kartye's goal proved to be the difference, and the Kraken held on for the victory.
The Avalanche suffered a significant blow with the loss of Cale Makar, who was suspended for one game after his hit on McCann. The Avalanche's offense struggled without Makar's presence, and Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen were unable to carry the team.
The Kraken's victory puts them in a commanding position in the series, with a chance to dethrone the reigning Stanley Cup champions in Game 6 at the Climate Pledge Arena. The Kraken's shared mentality of offense and defense has proved to be a winning formula, grinding down the Avalanche and limiting their scoring opportunities.
Overall, it was a hard-fought victory for the Kraken, who have exceeded expectations in their first playoff appearance. The team's depth and resilience have been on full display throughout the series, and they will be looking to carry that momentum into Game 6 and secure a historic playoff upset.
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