Kraken force Game 7 vs. Stars: Seattle capitalizes on Dallas’ lifeless start to avoid elimination

The Seattle Kraken took down the Dallas Stars in a 6-3 win at home Saturday to stay alive and force a Game 7 in their second-round playoff series. Here’s what you need to know:

Seattle struck first on a goal by Yanni Gourde 8:59 into regulation, but Dallas’ Mason Marchment tied the game just 31 seconds later. Jordan Eberle’s power-play goal late in the first period put the Kraken back up 2-1.
Eeli Tolvanen and Tye Kartye extended Seattle’s lead and chased Dallas starting goalie Jake Oettinger with a pair of goals early in the second. Oettinger allowed four goals on 18 shots before being replaced by Scott Wedgewood.
After the Stars made it 5-3 midway through the third, Eberle buried an empty-netter to seal the Kraken’s victory.
The series returns to Dallas for Game 7 on Monday.

The Athletic’s instant analysis:

Dallas doomed by lifeless start

The Stars talked about wanting to come out with aggressiveness and end the series in Seattle but had a lifeless showing for the first half of the game. When the Kraken scored their fourth goal of the game less than five minutes into the second period, Game 7 felt inevitable.

The Stars pulled Oettinger after he let in a goal that he typically stops. At one point in the first period, the Stars were getting outshot 15-2, which is a decent representation of the no-show they had on both ends of the ice. Dallas got something going early in the third period but even then, it wasn’t enough. Joe Pavelski barely missed a shot, Miro Heiskanen couldn’t collect the rebound and Jason Robertson rang one off the post. That span of time was the dagger. — Yousuf

Hakanpaa-Lindell pairing struggles mightily

The Stars defensive performance was the worst part of the game for them, particularly the pairing of Jani Hakanpaa and Esa Lindell. Those two players were on the ice for all five Seattle goals. Their issues were endless, from bad positioning, lack of speed and just overall ineffectiveness. The Stars use them as a shutdown pairing but they couldn’t have been any more opposite on Saturday. For Hakanpaa, that’s two terrible games in a row. It will be interesting to see if Pete DeBoer chooses to bring Colin Miller back in because that pairing was an absolute liability. — Yousuf

GO DEEPER

Esa Lindell-Jani Hakanpää decision to test Pete DeBoer's patience as Stars get pushed to Game 7

Highlight of the game

EELI GOALVANEN PUTTING IN THE WORK 🫡
— x – Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) May 14, 2023

Key stats

Pavelski’s goal at 5:37 of the second period marked his eighth of the playoffs, tying Martin St. Louis (2014) and Johnny Bucyk (1974) for the most in a single postseason by a player age 38 or older. It also marked Pavelski’s 72nd career postseason goal, tying him with Alex Ovechkin for most among active players.

Tolvanen, who had two assists in the first period, became the first player to record three points in a playoff game with the Kraken, per the NHL.