Nikolaj Ehlers’ Goal Not Enough as Daccord, Kraken End Hurricanes’ 12-Game Point Streak

Climate Pledge Arena hummed with the low, nervous energy of a streak about to be tested when nikolaj ehlers cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the second period. The goal lit a brief surge of hope for Carolina, but Joey Daccord’s 35 saves and a disciplined Seattle defense held firm, and the Kraken walked away with a 2-1 victory that ended the Hurricanes’ 12-game point streak.

How did the Kraken stop the Hurricanes’ point streak?

Seattle built the win around goaltending and opportunistic scoring. Joey Daccord made 35 saves and said the key was limiting chaos from rebounds: “A big thing with playing a shot-volume team [like Carolina] is just controlling your rebounds, ” he said. “Because they’re going to try to just get pucks in that create chaos, so if I can suck up pucks, get a lot of whistles, put pucks in the corner, that helps our [defensemen] a lot in terms of just killing their motion in the offensive zone and resetting the play with a [defensive]-zone drop. ”

Kaapo Kakko opened the scoring in the second period with a wrister that slipped under Frederik Andersen, and Ben Meyers extended the lead off a rebound sequence. Adam Larsson collected two assists on the night. The Kraken’s game plan — force shots to the outside, minimize high-danger rebounds and tighten the transition game — combined with Daccord’s timely saves to halt Carolina’s run.

Did Nikolaj Ehlers make a difference in the loss?

Yes — but it wasn’t enough. Nikolaj Ehlers scored late in the second when a pass from below the goal line found him in the right circle; he faked a slap shot, cut to the slot and snapped it under Daccord’s glove. The marker was the Hurricanes’ lone goal in a game where they outshot Seattle but failed to convert those chances into the tying tally. The team’s captain, Jordan Staal, said, “I think we just didn’t capitalize on our chances, and they’re a team that when they’re up, they hunker down well and don’t give you much. ”

Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour echoed that frustration: “I thought we played well. We gave up a few too many, just from [offensive] zone to be honest, just trying to force stuff, and then that transition game for them. … We’ve got to score more than one with the amount of zone time that we had. ” The sequence that produced Ehlers’ goal highlighted both the skill on the roster and the narrow margin between a comeback and a halted streak.

What does this mean for both teams and what comes next?

The result snapped a remarkable run for Carolina; they were 10-0-2 during the point streak and had won five straight. For Seattle it was a rebound: the Kraken have now won two in a row after dropping their first two games following the Olympic break. Daccord’s recent form was notable — he has won six of his past seven starts — and that momentum was a decisive factor on this night.

Beyond the scoreboard, the immediate responses were practical. Seattle focused on defensive structure and forcing low-percentage shots, a plan Lane Lambert summarized when he said, “I thought our guys did a good job of trying to keep shots to the outside, force them to miss the net, and when they didn’t, Joey made some big saves. ” Carolina’s response centered on execution: clean puck management, better decisions in the offensive zone, and converting more of their zone time into goals. Staal offered a succinct forward look: “It’s about the next one. ”

The game also closed with a tense finish. An Eeli Tolvanen holding call and an empty-net situation produced a 6-on-4 advantage for Carolina late, but the Hurricanes could not find the tying goal. Frederik Andersen finished with 13 saves in a game that tested both teams’ composure under pressure.

The puck dropped and the arena roared; by the final horn, a streak that had reshaped Carolina’s season was over and both clubs were left with clear takeaways. For the Hurricanes, nikolaj ehlers’ lift was a reminder of what can spark a comeback. For Seattle, Daccord’s night was a reminder that disciplined goaltending and structure can blunt even the most sustained offensive runs — and that in hockey, momentum can turn on a single, well-timed save.