Seattle Kraken fall 5-4 after Chicago Blackhawks rally late

CHICAGO (AP) – Jason Dickinson and Tyler Johnson scored 13 seconds apart late in the third period, and the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Seattle Kraken 5-4 on Sunday for their third straight win.

Blackhawks 5, Kraken 4: Stats

Max Domi and Jujhar Khaira also scored for Chicago (3-2-0), which trailed 2-0 midway through the first period and 4-3 going into the third. The Blackhawks also erased a two-goal deficit in their previous two wins.

Late comebacks aren’t exactly first-year coach Luke Richardson’s favored approach for his rebuilding team, but he’ll gladly take this one.

“I thought as the game went along we played better, and when it really counted at the end we played hard,” Richardson said. “We’ve really become a group in there and it’s nice to see.

“But I just mentioned to them after the game that we dodged a bullet for sure.”

Johnson tied it at 4 with his second goal of the game with 7:03 left. He beat Martin Jones from the slot after taking a feed from Jonathan Toews behind the net.

Dickinson then scored from the right circle with 6:50 remaining after Seattle defenseman Adam Larsson couldn’t control the puck cleanly.

Two late-game goals in 13 seconds and the @NHLBlackhawks claw back and hang on for the 5-4 win! 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/X892vownGn

— NHL (@NHL) October 23, 2022

The Blackhawks have been better than expected as Richardson has them playing a style with aggressive forechecking and penalty killing.

“We’re already having some fun, being able to come together as a team even though it’s been a short time and a lot of new faces,” said Johnson, whose goals were his first this season. “I feel we’re a pretty together team already and we’ve just got to keep on building.”

Jared McCann had a goal and an assist for the Kraken for the second straight game. Vince Dunn, Andre Burakovsky and Matty Beniers also scored.

“We have to stay on the gas,” McCann said. “That’s an easy way to put it. We let off, and they’ve got players who can make plays.”

As the great @JohnForslund says: “Pick up the phone! It’s answer time, baby!”

Matty with a big response goal! pic.twitter.com/KX2uyVqsJu

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) October 23, 2022

Seattle coach Dave Hakstol pointed to the breakdowns deep in his team’s zone that led to Chicago’s two late goals.

“A couple of critical mistakes and that’s all it takes in this one,” Hakstol said. “It was that type of game.”

Khaira’s short-handed goal with 2:56 left in the first sparked Chicago’s comeback. It was the Blackhawks’ fourth short-handed goal already this season, but Khaira’s first of any type since Jan. 8, 2022.

Johnson then tied it at 2 with his first of the season with 42 seconds to go in the first, firing in a rebound of Seth Jones’ shot from the top of the slot.

Jones and Patrick Kane each had two assists for Chicago.

Both teams were without their No. 1 goalies. Alex Stalock made 30 saves for the Blackhawks, and Jones blocked 22 shots for the Kraken (2-3-2).

The Blackhawks placed goaltender Petr Mrazek on injured reserve with a groin strain after he got hurt during the home opener on Friday. Richardson said Mrazek was scheduled to be re-evaluated later Sunday, and the injury might keep him out “for at least a week.”

McCann opened the scoring at 5:46, converting Morgan Geekie’s drop pass in the slot after getting open.

Burakovksy connected at 7:31. Jordan Eberle knocked the puck away from Seth Jones on the left boards, then fed Burakovsky in front.

Domi converted a rebound from the doorstep to put Chicago ahead 3-2 just 32 seconds into the second. But Beniers replied 19 seconds later after Stalock got caught out of position.

Dunn put Seattle back in front midway through the second. Trailing on the play, Dunn steamed down the slot alone, took McCann’s feed and ripped a shot past Stalock.

*plays Law & Order theme song* pic.twitter.com/TxuCk53z5R

— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) October 23, 2022

WELCOME BACK, EDDIE

Former Blackhawks forward and broadcaster Eddie Olczyk returned to the United Center for the first time as a member of the Kraken’s broadcast team. Olczyk, a Chicago-area native, became a fan favorite during 16 seasons in the Blackhawks’ booth before moving to Seattle over the summer.

NOTES

C Yanni Gourde missed the game and returned to Seattle for personal reasons. Geekie took his place in the lineup. … Richardson said Mrazek’s groin strain was similar to the one that limited him to 20 games with Toronto last season and “it could have worse.” The team expects a clearer picture on Monday.

UP NEXT

Kraken: Host Buffalo on Tuesday to start a three-game homestand.

Blackhawks: Host Florida on Tuesday.

Just how good can Matty Beniers become for the Seattle Kraken?