Late goal sends Kraken past Ducks, 5-4

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In Anaheim, it was a tale of two teams headed in opposite directions on Sunday.

Of course, there were the usual haunting processes of the NHL this season. The Seattle Kraken surrendered a 2-0 lead to the Ducks in the Game, but Daniel Sprong  rescued the Kraken in the third period with the game-winning goal for a 5-4 decision over Anaheim.

“I don’t really like the term find a way to win,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “We build good wins, that’s the bottom line, so our team has confidence in that.”

Martin Jones made 25 saves in the Seattle win.

The Kraken took a 1-0 lead in the first period with 33 seconds gone on the new ice; Jared McCann  hit for the goal.

The Kraken improved to 13-5-3.

Alex Wennberg pushed the lead to 2-0 before the Ducks replied.

“Scoring goals is a lot of fun and it helps the team,” Wennberg said. “Get some confidence in myself. Yes, it’s great, but all that matters is the two points.”

Troy Terry got the Ducks back to within one on a power play marker.

The Ducks dropped to 6-15-1.

“We gave up three [power-play] goals,” Hakstol said. “That’s not a great formula for on the road.”

Seattle replied with a late goal from Vince Dunn with 27 seconds left in the first for a 3-1 advantage.

Derek Grant got the Ducks going in the middle frame to cut the deficit to one for Anaheim at 3-2.

Matty Beniers struck for a goal for the Kraken to make it 4-2 to Seattle

Anaheim replied with two power play goals, one each from Mason McTavish  and Adam Henrique, to send the game to the third period tied, 4-4.

“It just seems like it’s this cycle where we come out tentative, we’re not making plays, we’re backing off, we get down 1-0 or 2-0, and then it’s ‘Oh, we’ve got to make a push here,'” Terry said. “We play hard, we play together, we make plays going up the ice, we tie the game, and then we sit back again.”

John Gibson got the start for Anaheim and made 14 saves, he yielded five goals in the loss. Gibson left the game in the third period with an apparent injury.

“When a guy leaves and doesn’t come back, it’s usually not great,” Anaheim coach Dallas Eakins said.

Anthony Stolarz who made six saves in relief.