SEATTLE (AP) — Eeli Tolvanen scored two goals, the first just 51 seconds into the game and the second into an empty net with 1:09 left, and the Seattle Kraken beat the Utah Hockey Club 4-2 on Friday night.
Brandon Montour and Kaapo Kakko also scored for the Seattle. Tolvanen also had an assist and Jordan Eberle had two assists, giving him five in his last two games. Philipp Grubauer made 22 saves.
Nick Schmaltz and Kevin Stenlund scored for Utah and Karel Vejmelka made 18 saves.
Tolvanen’s first goal from the left of the net that went behind Vejmelka was his 20th, the first time in his career that he has hit that milestone.
Schmaltz tied it at 1-1 with 3:12 left in the first period, then Stenlund converted a turnover in the neutral zone into a goal for a 2-1 lead 7:35 into the second. Montour tied it at 2-2 with 1:06 left in the period.
Utah: Schmaltz’s goal was the third straight road game in which he has scored. Stenland, Dylan Guenther and Jack McBain also have had three-game road scoring streaks this season.
Kraken: Although it wasn’t their quickest first-period goal, Tolvanen’s tally just 51 seconds into Friday's game was the sixth time this season the Kraken have scored in the opening minute, the most in the league. The fastest one was by Jaden Schwartz just 19 seconds in at home against Carolina on Dec. 3.
With the game tied at 2-2, Utah’s Mikhail Sergachev tried to clear the puck behind the back of his net, but it bounced off the side. Kakko swooped in, picked it up and wrapped it around the post to Vejmelka’s left.
Grubauer made his second start since a brief in the minors at Coachella Valley. He has won both of them.
The Kraken host Winnipeg and Utah visits Vancouver, both on Sunday night.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Seattle Kraken right wing Eeli Tolvanen (20) celebrates his goal against the Montreal Canadiens with center Chandler Stephenson (9) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour celebrates scoring a goal for a 5-4 win in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens in an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 12, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
