Sharks throttled in Seattle, 7-1 Sharks defense is not improving

In Seattle, the Kraken got their offense on track on Wednesday night in a 7-1 thrashing of the San Jose Sharks.

“We were ready to go at the drop of the puck,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “We came out, we scored early, but just the way we played from the drop of the puck, I thought, really, it put the momentum where we needed it to be.”

Eeli Tolvanen hit for a double in the third period for Seattle.

Seattle is 3-0-2 in their last five games.

Joey Daccord made 13 saves in the win.

The Kraken improved to 8-8-5 on the season.

Brandon Tanev got the offense rolling early, at 1:28 of the first period, giving Seattle a 1-0 lead.

“Every game, [Tanev] brings intensity, brings pace,” Hakstol said. “It was nice to see him be able to finish tonight. He’s had some good opportunities.”

Oliver Bjorkstrand, who had four points on the night, scored midway through the first for a 2-0 lead.

“I think we’re feeling it,” Bjorkstrand said. “Maybe a few lucky bounces off the glass, but we like playing together, and I think it just kind of went our way today.”

The first period was a nightmare for San Jose as they surrendered two more goals for a 4-0 hole after 20 minutes.

“We just can’t start a game like that in the NHL,” the Sharks’ Anthony Duclair said. “You’re going to get embarrassed. We’ve been embarrassed before this season, but nothing like that in the first period. That was just unacceptable.”

Adam Larsson pushed the lead to 3-0 at 11:07.

“That was embarrassing,” San Jose coach David Quinn said. “We weren’t ready to play. Two breakaways in the first minute and a half, just absolutely embarrassing. We lost every single battle, got beat off the walls, and every time there was a 50-50 puck battle, we were fishing for pucks and got on the wrong side of it.”

Yanni Gourde ballooned the advantage to 4-0 with 1:15 left in the period.

“When you don’t skate and just run around chasing the puck, that’s what’s going to happen. It’s the National Hockey League,” Quinn said. “They’ve got real good players over there.”

You cannot just talk about it, someone needs to do something about the embarrassment.

The Kraken pushed the lead out to 5-0 in the middle frame on a power play strike by Jared McCann at 3:36.

Tolvanen hit for his first of the third period at 2:22 for a 6-0 lead.

“It’s nice, of course,” Tolvanen said. “There’s been a couple games that I haven’t scored, and I’ve had a lot of chances. So, of course it’s nice to get it in.”

San Jose got on the board at 15:32 on a marker from Mike Hoffman for a 6-1 count.

Tolvanen scored just 14 seconds later for the 7-1 final in another miserable defensive effort from the Sharks.

“Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving,” Tolvanen said. “So, everybody can have a good night tonight, and enjoy their families and friends tomorrow.”

Kaapo Kahkonen, who was under siege in the first faced, faced 17 shots, yielding four goals, before getting the hook in the first intermission.

Mackenzie Blackwood made 10 saves in a mop up role.