Kraken extend Flyers’ frustration in 4-1 win

PHILADELPHIA — The Seattle Kraken’s Philipp Grubauer made 23 saves on Saturday afternoon in a 4-1 win over slumping Flyers.

Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Seattle Kraken looks to the corner for the puck as his teammate Josh Mahura #28 hold off Noah Cates #27 of the Philadelphia Flyers

“I haven’t played in a long time in this league, so it’s definitely a different pace, different game up here than it is down there,” Grubauer said. “But guys helped me out a ton, blocked a lot of shots (15). Happy to be back, happy to get the win.”

It was his first win since December.

“He played great tonight,” Beniers said. “There’s been a lot of games he has played great and we left him out to dry. I was happy that we were able to play better in front of him and he did his thing in there and kept them out, made some big saves and did what he does.”

Owen Tippett was the lone striker for the Flyers, who lost their third straight.

“We’ve got to keep working at our game,” Flyers coach John Tortorella said. “It’s going the wrong direction. As each game has gone by, we’ve gotten worse, so we’ve just got to keep working at our game. We have another chance tomorrow.”

Tippett’s goal came with 32 seconds left in the first period to give the Flyers a 1-0 lead.

The Kraken replied with three goals in te middle frame.

Tye Kartye tied it 1-1 midway through the second .

“Obviously played a couple games in Coachella, so that was good,” Kartye said. “Coming back, was just hoping to help the team out. … I don’t think I was picking a certain spot [on the goal]. I think just trying to get pucks on net there. It was a nice screen, and lucky it went in.”

The Kraken’s Marty Beniers scored with 63 seconds left in the period to give Seattle a 2-1 lead.

“It was a huge save, and in a really timely manner,” Beniers said. “And that’s what good goalies do — they make the big saves when it matters most, and that can change the game right there. Could have made it it 2-1 for them, he’s able to make that save, we’re able to go down and score. Those are big saves in timely moments.”

The Kraken made it 3-1 just 41 seconds later with a short-handed goal by Chandler Stephenson at 19:38.

Brandon Montour added a marker early in the third period for the 4-1 final.

Philadelphia was held to four shots on goal in the third.

“Giving up a goal late in the period is tough, and we gave up two there,” said the Flyers’ Sean Couturier. “I think it’s not just that, it’s before that. All game long we gave up a lot of odd-man rushes, we weren’t above the puck. It was ugly.”

Samuel Ersson made 28 saves in the loss.

“We’ve just got to start putting together good shifts, continuous shifts, start to wear teams down, hang onto pucks more, make more plays and just get our confidence back,” Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim said. “You can see that guys are hesitant right now, and you don’t play too well when you’re hesitant in this league. Teams will take advantage of it.”

Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Seattle Kraken is congradulated on his win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen #55 attempts to stop Mikey Eyssimont #21 of the Seattle Kraken shot on Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson #33

Owen Tippett #74 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Matty Beniers #10 of the Seattle Kraken

Tye Kartye #12 of the Seattle Kraken

Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Seattle Kraken looks to the corner for the puck as his teammate Josh Mahura #28 hold off Noah Cates #27 of the Philadelphia Flyers

Chandler Stephenson #9 of the Seattle Kraken

Brandon Montour #62 of the Seattle Kraken receives congratulation from teammates for his goal against the Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson #33 blocks the shot by Jaden Schwartz #17 of the Seattle Kraken as Flyers Defenseman Emil Andrae #36 assists his goalie.