Final Buzzer: One Better Than None

This is becoming a habit, these one-goal games. These close encounters are both fun and nerve-racking for Kraken fans.

The fun part is watching Kraken goals and appreciating big saves from Philipp Grubauer so far and, no question, Chris Driedger when his turn comes, perhaps as soon as Monday or Tuesday in back-to-back road games that will punctuate the team's opening five-game road trip.
The nerve-racking part? Pretty much everything else. Well, except maybe to watch Brandon Tanev score a go-ahead, second-period goal that will no doubt be part of the team's inaugural season highlight reel for the archives.
That was pure fun and likely prompted Kraken fans everywhere to jump off their seats across the Pacific Northwest and even among the continued impressive showing of Kraken fans in the road arenas of this trip.
Coach Dave Hakstol called Saturday's outcome "a good road point" but allowed it is "disappointing having a lead in the third period" that couldn't be extended to a two-goal margin before Columbus forward Eric Robinson knotted the game at 1-1 halfway through the third period.
The night ended with the one standings point for the Kraken when Columbus forward Patrik Laine scored on his elite-level wrist shot mid-overtime.

Perspective from Hakstol

During his post-game media scrum, there was a reporter question about a player change in overtime that led to Laine's wide-open look ("we got tired on that one").
Another query set up Hakstol to compare the final period of Thursday's win in Nashville with Saturday's third period. Both started with the Kraken leading by a goal.
"In the Nashville game we had trouble breaking out [of our defensive zone]," Hakstol said. "Tonight was different. We didn't spend too much time in our zone. But we gave away chances off the Columbus rush."
What Hakstol means about "the rush" is Kraken players gave up a little too much room and space to Blue Jackets forwards moving toward Grubauer in the neutral zone (between the blue lines) and entering the Seattle defensive end.
A final question asked about what "stood out" on Saturday's ice: "We are playing some tough goalies here [on the trip so far]. What stands out is wonderful hockey games ... three one-goal hockey games ... games we're going to be comfortable playing in."

Grubauer's Night of Big Saves

The first two periods were proof-positive of why Grubauer was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season. It shouldn't be lost on avid and new fans alike that the goalie-of-the-year award is voted on by NHL general managers.
He finished with 23 saves and the Kraken needed every one of them to get on their plane to Philadelphia with a standings point. Philly, by the way, should be an emotional matchup for Hakstol, who led the Flyers to two postseasons in his three full seasons as the team's head coach.
Grubauer made two point-blank saves in the opening 20 minutes, one early on CBJ forward Sean Kuraly and another late by fellow forward Jack Roslovic. Both Grubauer stops kept the game scoreless and allowed the Kraken to continue aggressive play on both ends of the ice.
Roslovic, by the way, was likely the Columbus name called the most by friend and Kraken play-by-play man John Forslund. He came over in Columbus' ballyhooed trade for Laine, regarded as the elite goal scorer the Blue Jackets were missing. While Laine struggled in the second half of the 2020-21 season, Roslovic impressed with hustle and scoring production.
Laine got into the high-quality scoring attempts queue himself, corralling a loose puck for a breakaway in the second period. Grubauer stood his position in a steady crouch and vanished any magic from Laine, who, give him credit, was alert enough to gather the rebound. He passed it to hard-charging defenseman Zach Werenski, who quick-released a hard shot that Grubauer smothered.
The second period ended with 15 shots turned away by Grubauer. Eight shots were in the "slot" or most-likely-to-result-in-a-goal lane of the ice. He received equally measurable support from his teammates, who blocked 15 shots in the first two periods of play.
When Robinson evened the score midway through the third period, it was on Columbus' 21st shot of the night. At that point, the Blue Jackets had attempted about twice as many shot attempts. Many resulted in blocked shots by a bevy of Kraken players who will likely nurse a few bruises Sunday as the team rests in Philadelphia for the final two games of this road trip (Monday at the Flyers, Tuesday in Newark to meet the New Jersey Devils).

Getting Into a Flow

After a tight first period, it seemed the first team making a mistake might provide an opening that could stand up. When 18-year-old Columbus forward Cole Sillinger went to the penalty box for cross-checking early in the second period, it was easy enough to connect that thought.
The Kraken didn't score on the man-advantage but got into a better offensive flow. Less than five minutes later, forward Ryan Donato found linemate Tanev near the net. Tanev worked his way past CBJ winger Oliver Bjorkstrand (who had two goals and two assists Thursday).
Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins, who played his second strong game to start the season, was the next obstacle. Tanev showed patience in stickhandling the puck gently, then deking Merzlikins enough to get the young goalie to move first. Tanev switched to the backhand, putting his shot up top and rippling the netting.
It was fun while it lasted - which was about when Robinson tied it for CBJ mid-third period - watching Tanev celebrate and take questions on the score during ROOT SPORTS' Jen Mueller's second intermission interview.

Clinical Evidence: Part 1

Before we turn to our nightly goodie bag of metrics from Kraken colleague and ace analytics storyteller, Alison Lukan, one word on a Seattle player who put on his own "clinic" Saturday in addition to Grubauer's net play (happily for fans and 'Grubi' alike, he has improved each of this three starts):
Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak played a game to match his NHL-biggest size (6-foot-7, 252 pounds) Saturday. With fellow D-man Vince Dunn out for at least Saturday night, the free agent and expansion pick from Dallas notched 23 minutes of time on ice (only defensive partner Adam Larsson played more), blocking three shots and leading the Kraken with five hits.
What's more, Oleksiak jumped in the offensive attack when it made sense and looked competent doing so. He flattened Columbus captain Boone Jenner to clear Grubauer's sightline during some CBJ offensive momentum. It will be fun to watch Oleksiak and Larsson work together as a "shutdown" pair with more offensive game than either veteran gets credit. Oleksiak was a definite bright spot among a good handful Saturday.

Clinical Evidence, Part 2

As promised above, here are Alison Lukan's parting analytics gifts for Game 3 (don't miss
our Instant Analysis graphic posted on the Kraken app and web
):
MoneyPuck.com had Columbus with an expected goal total of 2.47, but Grubauer obviously beat that expectation, turning away 57 of 59 pucks fired his way.
Tanev with another goal tonight, but that wasn't the only way he contributed. The newly developed line of Tanev, Morgan Geekie and Donato again led the team in terms of tilting the ice their way. When they were skating, the Kraken had 63.16 percent of all shot attempts (5-on-5 play).
In his return to Nationwide Arena, center Alexander Wennberg led Seattle in offensive zone possession time (:51) and had six controlled exits, good enough for third on the team.
He didn't get on the scoreboard, but forward Jordan Eberle had the best shot quality of the game. With eight total shot attempts, including two from high-danger areas, he had an expected goal total of .4 according to Naturalstattrick.com. His best chance came with 7:00 remaining in the second period - that shot had a 24.4 percent likelihood of getting in the net.