Andre Burakovsky’s overtime goal lifted the Seattle Kraken to a 4-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night, marking a significant milestone for the Kraken as they matched their win total from last season in just 45 games.
Ryan Donato contributed two goals and an assist, while Burakovsky scored 1:10 into overtime. The win snapped Seattle’s two-game losing streak and brought their total to 27 victories, matching last season’s record of 27-49-6. With Vegas losing to Detroit, Seattle moved into a first-place tie with the Golden Knights in the Pacific Division, boasting a better points percentage.
“This speaks to the work this group has put in,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “You compete for a playoff spot and positioning, and most importantly, for points that move you closer to a playoff berth.”
Donato gave Seattle an early 2-0 lead, but New Jersey fought back. Erik Haula’s short-handed breakaway goal at 6:04 of the third period tied the game at 2-2.
Brandon Tanev put the Kraken ahead at 7:51, but New Jersey equalized with another late goal. Nico Hischier scored off a rebound from Jack Hughes’ shot with 1:14 left, following a flurry of activity around the net after the Devils pulled goalie Mackenzie Blackwood.
This marked the second consecutive game in which New Jersey forced overtime with a late goal after pulling the goalie. Hughes had previously scored with 8.6 seconds left against San Jose on Monday, leading to a shootout victory.
Burakovsky’s 13th goal of the season slipped under Blackwood’s pad in overtime.
“I think I got lucky. It hit a stick and went five-hole,” Burakovsky said. “That’s not really what I aimed for, but it worked out.”
New Jersey had been on a five-game winning streak overall and seven consecutive road wins. However, they missed the chance to sweep their longest trip of the season, spanning five games.
Despite securing nine out of a possible ten points on the trip, coach Lindy Ruff was dissatisfied with the team’s performance.
“It was a good trip points-wise, but we’re not happy with how we’re playing,” Ruff said. There were too many lost battles and preventable situations.”
Damon Severson scored midway through the second period, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
Kraken goalie Martin Jones made 27 saves, winning for the eighth time in his past nine starts. Blackwood made 36 saves, keeping the Devils competitive by weathering an early barrage of shots from the Kraken.
Donato’s goals broke an eight-game goalless streak. He had scored in five of six games in December but went cold afterward, collecting just four points during the drought.
Donato’s first goal came at 12:27 of the first period with a wrist shot from the right circle over Blackwood’s glove and under the crossbar. The second goal, nearly identical, gave Seattle a 2-0 lead at 4:52 of the second period.
WORTH NOTING
- New Jersey forward Nathan Bastian returned after missing 22 games with an upper-body injury.
- Seattle was without forward Jaden Schwartz and defenseman Justin Schultz, both sidelined with undisclosed injuries. Schwartz missed his fourth consecutive game, while Schultz missed his third.
UP NEXT
- Devils: Return home to host Pittsburgh on Sunday.
- Kraken: Host Colorado on Saturday.
