Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn (29) and right wing Jordan Eberle, right, celebrate a goal by left wing Tye Kartye, center, against the Dallas Stars during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Lindsey Wasson
AP
SEATTLE
There’s just something about this Seattle team, which seems to relish playing with its back against the wall. With its season on the line, the Kraken staved off elimination, beating the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of Stanley Cup Playoffs West second round series on Saturday night at home, 6-3. The win forces a decisive Game 7 in Dallas on Monday.
Still alive — and if the party at Climate Pledge Arena was any indication — far from a flatlining heartbeat.
“I thought we played aggressive,” said Jordan Eberle, who scored a pair of goals in the Kraken win. “We also played smart. Tried to limit their chances, stay on our toes. We had nothing to lose, obviously our back’s against the wall, so we’re going to have the same effort in Game 7 and we know they’re going to have their best.”
Seattle got off to a lightning-fast start in front of its rabid home crowd on Saturday, which sought refuge from the Seattle heat-wave for a few hours to cheer on their team, loud and proud. Spurred by the energy, Seattle jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a Yanni Gourde goal, a vital start against a Dallas team that has been nearly unbeatable in the playoffs in games in which it takes an early lead.
Dallas, though, answered immediately on a Mason Marchment goal just 31 seconds later. Seattle eventually found the second goal on a power play, when the puck found Jordan Eberle on a rebound, who scored to give Seattle the 2-1 lead after the first period.
Seattle Kraken left wing Brandon Tanev (13) moves the puck as Dallas Stars center Ty Dellandrea (10) watches during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Saturday, May 13, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Lindsey Wasson AP
KRAKEN GOAL SCORING PARTY
When the dust settled, it was a six-goal barrage from Seattle, which played the part of a team fighting for its season, aggressive from the puck drop attacking the inside and generating chances from close range.
“Just trying to get back to the pace we needed to play with,” said Seattle coach Dave Hakstol. “We talked before the game about how we counteract some of the things that they were doing the last couple games. Just trying to get traffic, trying to get to that hard area.
“Whether it’s getting through the goaltender’s eyes, whether it’s being able to stick around, hang around a find a rebound. We were committed to doing that tonight. Trying to find ways to grow this hockey team as we go through a really challenging series.”
Seattle continued its by-committee scoring formula, which included a second-period goal from Eeli Tolvanen, a December waiver wire pickup.
“Just the mindset to get (inside),” Tolvanen said. “I feel like we lacked a little bit of that before. It was great to see that we can flip a switch.”
Seattle’s Tye Kartye added another goal, giving Seattle a 4-1 lead, before Joe Pavelski — a thorn in Seattle’s side all series — scored a power play goal on a deflection, pulling Dallas back within two. Seattle added a Matty Beniers goal in the third period, followed by another immediate Dallas response by Joel Kiviranta just 15 seconds later. Jordan Eberle scored the final goal on an empty net with under a minute to play, sealing the 6-3 win.
DALLAS STARS. SEATTLE KRAKEN. GAME 7.
For the second straight series, Seattle will play in a decisive Game 7. The Kraken beat the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 of the opening series. Seattle will travel to Dallas to face the Stars in Game 7 at 5 p.m. on Monday.
“I think the mindset has to be the same,” Tolvanen said. “When the puck drops, everybody has to be ready.”
While there may be a few things Seattle can take from an approach standpoint from its last Game 7, Hakstol said he thinks it’s a different beast this round.
“This is a different series, a different opponent,” he said. “They have great players, high-end guys at the top of their lineup and their depth is good. We saw that again tonight. They’re a complete hockey team. This is a little bit different Game 7. We’ve just gotta be ourselves.
“We know it’ll be a test, we know it’ll be a challenge but we’ll be ready.”
This story was originally published May 13, 2023 at 6:51 PM.
Jon Manley covers high school sports for The News Tribune. A McClatchy President’s Award winner and Gonzaga University graduate, Manley has covered the South Sound sports scene since 2013. He was voted the Washington state sportswriter of the year in 2024 by the National Sports Media Association. Born and raised in Tacoma.Support my work with a digital subscription
