In a performance that combined clinical finishing with a bit of late-game drama, Jared McCann and the Seattle Kraken put on a show for the home crowd at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night. Behind a massive four-point effort from McCann, the Kraken cruised to a 5-1 victory over the Washington Capitals, reinforcing their push for playoff positioning as the NHL season enters its final stretch.
Jared McCann Powers Seattle Kraken Offensive Explosion
The story of the night was undoubtedly Jared McCann. The forward was involved in nearly every major scoring play, finishing the evening with two goals and two assists. McCann opened the scoring early in the second period, capitalizing on a power play that carried over from the first. Stationed in the right circle, he unleashed a blistering one-timer at the 1:15 mark that beat Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson to give Seattle a 1-0 lead.
McCann wasn’t finished there. Midway through the second frame, he found himself in the right place at the right time, tucking home a rebound off a shot from Matty Beniers to double the Kraken lead. This marked McCann’s first multi-goal game of the season, a timely surge for the Kraken’s leading offensive threat. He later added two primary assists, including a beautiful feed to Jordan Eberle late in the second period to make it 3-0.
The Hat Trick That Wasn't: A Bizarre Third Period
For a brief moment in the third period, it appeared McCann had secured his second career hat trick. Just 1:27 into the final frame, McCann broke away from the Washington defense and slotted the puck home, sending hats raining down from the Seattle faithful. However, the celebration was short-lived. Following a lengthy video review, officials determined that Matty Beniers had committed a high-sticking double-minor penalty earlier in the sequence.
The goal was wiped off the board, and the hats were cleared as the Capitals were awarded a four-minute power play. This momentum swing gave Washington a glimmer of hope, but the Kraken’s special teams and defensive structure held firm for the majority of the man advantage.
Ovechkin Adds to Record as Capitals Struggle on the Road
Despite the lopsided score, the Washington Capitals did manage to find the back of the net during the ensuing power play. Alex Ovechkin scored his 22nd goal of the season at the 2:30 mark of the third, a tap-in at the left post assisted by Ryan Leonard. The goal was the 919th of Ovechkin's legendary career, further extending his own NHL all-time scoring record.
However, one milestone wasn't enough to mask the Capitals' recent struggles. Washington is now 1-3-1 on their current six-game road trip and has won only two of their last seven contests. The Capitals struggled to generate high-quality chances throughout the night, managing only 20 shots on goal against a disciplined Seattle defense.
Matty Beniers and Ryker Evans Seal the Win
Any hopes of a Washington comeback were extinguished late in the third period. Defenseman Ryker Evans restored the three-goal cushion with 6:48 remaining, as his centering pass deflected off Washington's Tom Wilson and into the net. It was Evans' fifth goal of the season, rewarding his aggressive play from the blue line.
Matty Beniers then put the finishing touches on the victory with a wrist shot at 16:27. The goal was Beniers' ninth of January, tying a Seattle Kraken franchise record for most goals scored by a single player in a calendar month. Beniers finished the night with a goal and an assist, extending his current point streak to four games.
Goaltending and Defensive Dominance
While the offense grabbed the headlines, Philipp Grubauer provided a steady presence in the crease for Seattle. Grubauer stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced, maintaining his composure during the Capitals' third-period power play. On the other end, Logan Thompson made 27 saves on 32 shots but was often left exposed by a Washington defense missing key personnel due to injuries.
The victory improves Seattle’s record to 24-19-9, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a Western Conference Wild Card spot. The Kraken will look to build on this momentum when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night to conclude their six-game homestand.
- Seattle Kraken Record: 24-19-9
- Washington Capitals Record: 25-22-7
- Next Game: Kraken vs. Maple Leafs (Thursday); Capitals at Red Wings (Thursday)
Sources & Original Reporting
