Blackwood makes 32 saves, Sharks blank Kraken

SAN JOSE — Mackenzie Blackwood made 32 saves for the San Jose Sharks in a 2-0 win against the Seattle Kraken at SAP Center on Tuesday.

Kraken goalie Joey Daccord makes a diving stop on a shot by Sharks Anthony Duclair (10) – Photo by Jack Lima

Blackwood had his first shutout since Dec. 8, 2021, when he made 25 saves for the New Jersey Devils in a 3-0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. It was his ninth in the NHL.

“I think he’s been great all year,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “I think he’s one of the top goalies in the League, and just a phenomenal teammate, too. This guy looks like King Kong in the net. He’s so athletic, he’s poised and he’s a hell of a teammate. It makes you surprised it’s his first shutout this year.”

Kraken goalie Joey Daccord makes a save late in the third period as Logan Couture (39) attempts to jam the puck past him – Photo by Jack Lima

Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Jan Rutta each scored in the third period for the Sharks (14-32-4), who have won four of their past five games.

“I think we have confidence now that we can close a game out, whereas at the start of the year we were gripping the sticks a little too tight and making panic plays,” Blackwood said. “But we seem calm and believe we can close a game out, and we did a really good job.”

Kraken goalie Joey Daccord slides to cover the open net as Mike Hoffman (68) looks to pass as defenseman Jordan Dumoulin (8) looks to provide defensive support – Photo by Jack Lima

Joey Daccord made 20 saves for the Kraken (21-19-10) who had won two of their past three.

“He stole a game for them tonight,” Daccord said of Blackwood. “I thought we played great, generated a lot of offense, carried most of the play. Their goalie played unreal. Sometimes a goalie of that caliber can do that.”

Luke Kunin (11) and Will Borgen (center) fight late in the third period – Photo by Jack Lima

Vlasic gave San Jose a 1-0 lead at 7:27 of the third when Ty Emberson set him up for a wrist shot through traffic. The defenseman has scored a goal in two straight games and three goals in his past five after being a healthy scratch in 22 games this season.

“I’ve been opportunistic,” Vlasic said. “I’ve scored on the chances I’ve had, and I feel good. I’m skating, creating, joining the rush, and good things are happening.”

Rutta scored into an empty net on a shot the length of the ice with 21 seconds remaining for the 2-0 final.

Sharks center Mike Hoffman (68) looks to shoot the puck deep into the offensive zone in front of Jared McCann (19) – Photo by Jack Lima

Seattle outshot San Jose 18-8 through the first two periods.

“We played a hard hockey game,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “They defend really hard. They play hard, and we knew that was the case. We had three or four really good opportunities each of the first two periods and weren’t able to get that first goal. They found that first goal on a seeing-eye shot. I don’t think Joey probably had a chance to see that. It went through two layers of a screen. And that’s the difference in the hockey game.”

Sharks forward Anthony Duclair attempts to maneuver between Kraken players Eeli Tolvane (20) and Yanni Gourde (37) – Photo by Jack Lima

The Sharks played without Tomas Hertl, who is day to day with an undisclosed injury. With him out of the lineup, William Eklund played center for the first time at the NHL level.

“I felt like, in the first period, I was feeling it out a little bit,” Eklund said. “Getting into those rush positions, especially in the D-zone, you have to be a little more responsible. I felt like it got better and better throughout the game.”

Sharks goalie Mackenzie Blackwood fights off a shot for one on his 32 saves in route to a 2-0 shutout win – Photo by Jack Lima

NOTES: Vlasic scored his 13th career game-winning goal, passing Dan Boyle (12) for the second most by a defenseman in Sharks franchise history. … Vlasic became the fifth Sharks defenseman age 36 or older to score in consecutive games. The others were Boyle (three times), Gary Suter (three times), Brent Burns (twice) and Rob Blake (once). … Vince Dunn, who has 136 points (29 goals, 107 assists) during his career with the Kraken, played in his 200th game with Seattle to become the sixth player to reach the milestone with the franchise. Jared McCann is the only player with more points for the Kraken with 153 (86 goals, 67 assists) at the time of their 200th game. … Seattle played its final game before the NHL All-Star break.