Kraken beat Stars 5-4 in OT in first game of second round

DALLAS — The Seattle Kraken had a thrilling victory on the road in the first game of the second-round playoff series against the Dallas Stars Tuesday night.

They beat Dallas 5-4 in overtime as they continue their quest for the Stanley Cup.

They now lead the series 1-0 after some unbelievable swings in momentum.

Joe Pavelski, who scored all four of the Stars’ goals, gave Dallas a 1-0 lead early until Jaden Schwartz tied it about 10 minutes later.

Pavelski scored again, but Justin Schultz snuck in for another goal to tie things at 2-2, and 11 seconds after that one, Oliver Bjorkstrand scored.

Not to be outdone, Vince Dunn helped Jordan Eberle tip one in for four Kraken goals in less than four minutes – or three goals in a 68-second span, according to the Associated Press.

With Seattle leading at 4-2, there was a long lull in the action until Pavelski, who already had two goals, picked up a hat trick in the third period that made it 4-3, and the momentum went back to Dallas.

Minutes later, Pavelski scored again, which tied it up 4-4 and sent the game into overtime.

In the final period, both teams had many chances, but in the end, Seattle’s Yanni Gourde — a two-time cup winner — got the puck into the net for the win at 12:17 into overtime, ESPN reported.

Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer made 31 saves for the Kraken, the AP reported.

What led to the Kraken’s win? Not only did the team not panic when they lost their two-goal lead, but they stuck to their game plan and outshot Dallas.

They were also very physical and out-hit the Stars 43-19.

Game 2 is Thursday in Dallas at 6:40 p.m. Pacific. The Kraken then head home for games 3 and 4 on Sunday and Tuesday.

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