In an impressive display of skill, Shane Wright scored two goals, leading the Seattle Kraken to a 4-2 victory against the Los Angeles Kings on March 15, 2024. This win marks a rebound for the Kraken, who had faced a setback just a day prior with a loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Kraken struck first in the game, but it was the Kings who opened the scoring. On his 30th birthday, Andrei Kuzmenko found the net at 7:42 of the first period, taking advantage of a power play opportunity. He maneuvered the puck from above the right circle to just below the dot before delivering a wrist shot that slipped between the pads of Kings goaltender DARcy Kuemper.
Seattle quickly responded. Ryan Winterton intercepted a pass intended for Kings defenseman Jacob Moverare and set up Wright, who executed a deft backhand shot to tie the game at 1-1 just under two minutes later, at 9:16.
The momentum continued to swing in favor of the Kraken as Adam Larsson put them ahead 2-1 at 10:14. Chandler Stephenson delivered a precise pass from behind the net, allowing Larsson to unleash a powerful one-timer from the right hash marks. Moments later, at 15:21, Vince Dunn added to the lead, scoring Seattle’s third goal after weaving through three Kings players and slipping a backhand shot past Kuemper.
Kuzmenko struck again in the second period, netting a one-timer from the right hash marks on another power play to narrow the gap to 3-2 at 10:27. The intensity ramped up as both teams battled for control.
Wright sealed the victory for the Kraken with a power-play goal at 5:50 of the third period, extending their lead to 4-2. The Kings’ hopes for a comeback were thwarted when Adrian Kempe received a double-minor penalty for high-sticking with just over four minutes left in the game.
In total, Joey Daccord made 25 saves for the Kraken, showcasing his skill in net. Despite the loss, Kuemper recorded 19 saves for the Kings, who have now lost three of their last four games.
As the Kraken head into a three-week break for the Olympic Games, the Kings will next face the Vegas Golden Knights in their final game before the break. The outcome of this match will be pivotal for the Kings as they seek to regain their footing in the league standings.
