Kraken snap 8-game losing streak with 4-0 win over Panthers

SEATTLE — Joey Daccord made 24 saves for his first career shutout, Kailer Yamamoto scored the first of two goals from Seattle’s fourth line and the Kraken snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.

Yamamoto scored his fourth goal of the season early in the second period and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare got his third with 14:01 remaining in the third period off a terrific pass from rookie defenseman Ryker Evans. It was the first career point for Evans, a second-round draft pick in 2021 who was called up last week.

Alex Wennberg added his fourth goal at 9:13 of the third and Eeli Tolvanen sealed it on an empty-net goal with 3:51 left.

Yamamoto and Bellemare both finished with a goal and an assist. Will Borgen had two assists and Seattle celebrated its first victory since beating San Jose the day before Thanksgiving.

It’s been a miserable stretch for the Kraken that has seen them tumble in the Pacific Division standings. The losing streak was their longest since Seattle dropped nine straight games early in its inaugural season of 2021-22.

But the win over the Panthers showed Seattle can still compete with the better teams in the league.

Daccord was solid and made key saves when called upon, including a stop on Aaron Ekblad during a 2-on-1 rush early in the first period. But the Kraken otherwise limited dangerous chances for the Panthers. Florida failed to record a shot on goal during any of its three power plays.

Sergei Bobrovsky made 19 saves for Florida, but the Panthers had their three-game win streak snapped. Florida scored at least three goals in each of the previous five games, but was shut out for the third time.

Yamamoto’s goal came 3:06 into the second period on a stretch pass from Borgen that sent the forward in alone against Bobrovsky. Yamamoto flipped his shot over the glove and gave Seattle just its second lead in the past nine games. It was also the first goal from Seattle’s fourth line since Nov. 24 against Vancouver.

The 1-0 lead after the second period was the first time Seattle led going into the third since its 7-1 win over the Sharks on Nov. 22.

UP NEXT

Kraken host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.

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KRAKEN 4, PANTHERS 0

Florida 0 0 0—0

Seattle 0 1 3—4

First Period—None.

Second Period—1, Seattle, Yamamoto 4 (Borgen, Bellemare), 3:06.

Third Period—2, Seattle, Bellemare 3 (Evans, Yamamoto), 5:59. 3, Seattle, Wennberg 4 (Borgen, Kartye), 9:13. 4, Seattle, Tolvanen 7 (Dunn), 16:09 (en).

Shots on Goal—Florida 9-7-8—24. Seattle 3-7-13—23.

Power-play opportunities—Florida 0 of 3; Seattle 0 of 1.

Goalies—Florida, Bobrovsky 13-7-1 (22 shots-19 saves). Seattle, Daccord 4-5-6 (24-24).

A—17,151 (17,100). T—2:28.

Referees—Francis Charron, Jordan Samuels-Thomas. Linesmen—Trent Knorr, Matt MacPherson.