In a thrilling showdown that had fans on the edge of their seats, Jordan Eberle delivered a masterclass performance, scoring twice to propel the Seattle Kraken to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. The win not only boosted the Kraken’s morale but also etched their name in the history books, marking their best start in franchise history at 5-2-2. As the NHL season heats up, this upset against a perennial powerhouse like the Oilers underscores the Kraken’s rising prowess in the Pacific Division.
Eberle’s Timely Strikes Ignite Kraken Offense
Jordan Eberle, the veteran forward who returned to the NHL spotlight with the Seattle Kraken after a storied career that included stints with the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers, proved why he’s still a force to be reckoned with. In the first period, Eberle capitalized on a defensive miscue by the Oilers, slipping a wrist shot past goaltender Stuart Skinner at the 8:42 mark to open the scoring. The goal sent ripples through Climate Pledge Arena, where the crowd erupted in cheers, sensing the momentum shift early.
But Eberle wasn’t done. Midway through the third period, with the score tied at 2-2, he struck again on a power-play opportunity. Receiving a precise pass from Matty Beniers, Eberle one-timed the puck from the left circle, beating Skinner glove-side for what would prove to be the game-winner. ‘It’s all about seizing the moments,’ Eberle said post-game, his voice laced with satisfaction. ‘We’ve been building chemistry all season, and tonight it clicked.’ His two goals were his fourth and fifth of the season, bringing his point total to seven in nine games—a hot start for the 33-year-old who was traded to Seattle in the 2022 expansion draft fallout.
The Kraken’s offense, often criticized for inconsistency in their inaugural seasons, showed flashes of brilliance beyond Eberle. Jared McCann added the other goal for Seattle, a deflection off a shot from Vince Dunn in the second period that briefly gave the Kraken a 2-1 lead. Goaltender Joey Daccord was stellar in net, stopping 28 of 30 shots, including several high-danger chances from Edmonton’s dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Daccord’s .933 save percentage in this matchup highlights his emergence as a reliable backbone for the young franchise.
Statistically, Eberle’s performance aligns with his career resurgence. Since joining the Kraken, he’s averaged 0.78 points per game, a marked improvement from his dip in production during the 2021-22 season. Analysts point to the improved team depth around him—players like Beniers, the 2022 Calder Trophy winner, and Oliver Bjorkstrand—as key factors. This game against the Oilers, a team Eberle knows intimately from his early career days in Edmonton, added a layer of poetic justice, turning former teammates into rivals.
Kraken’s Franchise Record Shatters Expectations
The Seattle Kraken, entering the NHL as an expansion team in 2021, have endured a rocky road filled with heartbreaking losses and rebuild pains. Yet, this 3-2 victory over the Oilers propelled them to a 5-2-2 record, surpassing their previous best starts in franchise history. In their debut season, the Kraken managed just a 3-4-1 opening, and last year hovered around .500 through the first 10 games. This year’s mark represents a 25% improvement in win percentage from comparable points in prior seasons, a testament to head coach Dave Hakstol’s tactical adjustments.
Hakstol, in his third year behind the bench, emphasized the team’s resilience post-game. ‘We’ve talked about starting strong, but executing it against a team like Edmonton— that’s the real measure,’ he noted. The Kraken’s defensive structure has been pivotal, allowing only 2.4 goals per game thus far, down from 3.2 last season. Their penalty kill unit, operating at 85% efficiency, stifled the Oilers’ vaunted power play, which entered the game converting at 22%.
Delving deeper into the franchise record, this start positions the Kraken third in the Pacific Division, trailing only the Vancouver Canucks and Los Angeles Kings. With 12 points already banked, they’re on pace for a playoff berth—a far cry from missing the postseason in their first two years. Fan engagement has surged too; ticket sales for home games are up 15% from last season, buoyed by the electric atmosphere at Climate Pledge Arena. For a city new to professional hockey, this franchise record isn’t just numbers—it’s a narrative of growth, from underdogs to contenders.
Comparing to other expansion teams, the Kraken’s trajectory mirrors the Vegas Golden Knights’ rapid rise, though Seattle’s path has been more measured. Vegas hit the playoffs in year one; Seattle is building sustainably. Key acquisitions like Eberle and trades for depth players have fortified the roster, contributing to this historic start.
Oilers’ Defensive Woes Exposed in Narrow Defeat
For the Edmonton Oilers, this loss drops them to 3-4-1, a disappointing follow-up to their Stanley Cup Final appearance last spring. Despite the offensive wizardry of McDavid—who tallied a goal and an assist—and Draisaitl’s game-tying tally in the second period, the Oilers’ defense faltered at critical junctures. Turnovers in the neutral zone led directly to two of Seattle’s goals, including Eberle’s opener, and their blue line was outshot 32-30 overall.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner, who faced 32 shots, admitted the team’s lapses. ‘We gave them too many quality looks. It’s on us to tighten up,’ Skinner reflected. Edmonton’s power play, one of the league’s best, went 1-for-4, missing chances that could have swung the game. The Oilers entered with a franchise-record 11-game win streak from last season’s playoffs still fresh in mind, but early-season rust has shown in their 3.1 goals against average, up from 2.8 in 2023-24.
This matchup highlighted broader Oilers’ challenges. Injuries to key defenders like Darnell Nurse, sidelined with a minor ailment, exposed depth issues. Coach Kris Knoblauch rotated lines aggressively, but the third pairing struggled against Seattle’s forecheck. McDavid’s frustration was evident after a disallowed goal due to goaltender interference, underscoring the fine margins in NHL play. For Edmonton, a team banking on star power, this defeat serves as a wake-up call amid a competitive Atlantic Division race.
Historically, games between the Kraken and Oilers have been tight—Seattle’s all-time record against Edmonton is 2-3-1—but this win gives the Kraken their first home victory over the Alberta club. It also avenges a 4-2 loss earlier this season, balancing the series.
Pivotal Plays That Defined the Thrilling Contest
The game unfolded like a chess match, with momentum swinging on a series of pivotal plays. In the opening frame, after Eberle’s goal, the Oilers responded swiftly. McDavid, the NHL’s reigning MVP, danced through two defenders before roofing a backhand at 12:15, knotting the score at 1-1. His speed—clocked at 23 mph on the play—exemplified why he’s the league’s most electrifying player.
The second period saw heightened intensity. Seattle regained the lead when McCann’s deflection fooled Skinner, but Draisaitl answered 47 seconds later on a laser from the slot, assisted by Zach Hyman. Draisaitl’s 200th career goal was a milestone, yet it couldn’t stem the tide. A disallowed Oilers goal late in the period, reviewed for offside, kept the score even heading into the third.
The decisive moment came at 11:23 of the final frame. On a Kraken power play following a hooking penalty on Evander Kane, Eberle’s snipe provided the edge. Daccord then stonewalled McDavid on a breakaway with 3:45 left, preserving the lead. In overtime? No—Seattle killed off the clock with disciplined play, including a crucial block by Adam Larsson.
Advanced stats paint a complete picture: The Kraken dominated puck possession with 54% Corsi, while Edmonton edged in high-danger chances 12-10. Faceoff wins favored Seattle 52%, thanks to Beniers’ 68% success rate. These micro-moments—blocks, saves, and shots—compiled into a franchise-record victory, showcasing the Kraken’s evolution into a gritty, detail-oriented squad.
Kraken’s Hot Streak Signals Playoff Push in NHL Western Conference
As the Seattle Kraken bask at their franchise record start, eyes turn to the horizon. With nine games down and 73 to go, this 5-2-2 mark sets a foundation for a deeper playoff run. Next up is a road trip facing the Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames—tests that will gauge their mettle against divisional foes. Hakstol hinted at lineup tweaks, potentially integrating prospect Shane Wright for added scoring punch.
In the broader NHL landscape, the Kraken’s surge disrupts the Western Conference parity. They’re tied with the Minnesota Wild for wild-card spots, but their +4 goal differential ranks top-10 league-wide. Eberle’s form, combined with emerging stars like Beniers (five assists already), suggests offensive sustainability. Defensively, the addition of free-agent signing Brian Dumoulin has stabilized pairings.
Looking ahead, the Kraken face the Oilers again in March, a rematch that could define seeding. For fans, this historic start reignites playoff fever in Seattle, a market hungry for hockey glory. If they maintain this pace—projected at 98 points by season’s end—they’re postseason locks. As Eberle put it, ‘We’re just getting started.’ The NHL’s newest franchise is proving it’s here to stay, one record-breaking win at a time.
