Stars dominate, win game Game 2 vs Kraken to even series
In the first game of the Western Conference second-round series between the Dallas Stars and Seattle Kraken, the first period was wild. In Game 2 on Thursday night, the combatants got back to the type of hockey we expected to see.
The Stars had some moments in the opening period in which they seemed to have a hint of desperation in their game. For the most part, though, period one was intentionally quiet.
After scoring four goals in the first 20 minutes of Game 1, the Kraken ended up with only five shots on goal in the first frame in Game 2. The teams combined for six goals in the opening period the first time they met but did not score a single goal in the first period on Thursday.
The Dallas Stars evened up the series in Game 2.
Early in the second period, Wyatt Johnston broke the ice and gave Dallas a 1-0 lead. Later in the period, Evgenii Dadonov made it 2-0. Tye Kartye cut the Stars lead in half, but another goal by Joe Pavelski gave Dallas a 3-1 advantage, and that is where the score would remain after the period.
It took about half of the third period for another goal to be scored, and when it too was scored by the Stars, it became obvious that we were headed for a tied series.
The Kraken did make it a 4-2 game after that, but sure enough, Dallas got the win to make this a best-of-five series as it shifts to Seattle.
Through two games, it should be the Stars that are feeling good about their position. The goals have been coming regularly for Dallas, which is important for this team. Plus, Oettinger bounced back nicely in Game 2, and based on his playoff career as a whole, you can chalk Game 1 up as a fluke.
The Kraken’s offense slowed down in Game 2, but that happens. Every team has good and bad games in a series, so being outplayed and coming up empty for the most part on offense can and will work itself out.
However, I’m not convinced that Philipp Grubauer will get his game figured out. He exceeded expectations and his regular season performance by a lot in round one, but this is now back-to-back games in which he was underwhelming. If that doesn’t change, Seattle may not stand a chance.
Related Story. Golden Knights take down Oilers despite Draisaitl’s four goals. light
Game 3 between the Stars and Kraken will be on Sunday, May 7 at 9:30 PM and can be seen on TBS.