Schwartz, Kakko lead Kraken to 5-2 win over Utah

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 30: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the Seattle Kraken celebrates his goal with Kaapo Kakko #84 and Matty Beniers #10 during the third period against the Utah Hockey Club at Climate Pledge Arena on December 30, 2024 in Seattle, W (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)

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SEATTLE - Jaden Schwartz scored a goal with two assists, and Kaapo Kakko had a pair of assists in his home debut for the Seattle Kraken in a 5-2 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Monday night.

Schwartz's goal served as the game-winner just over seven minutes into the third period on a breakaway on a pass from Kakko that gave Seattle a 3-2 lead. Schwartz also had a goal wiped off the board due to an offside call on review, but he now has five points (three goals, two assists) in Seattle's last two games.

"They never come easy," Schwartz said. "Just want to get back into the mix, you know, like I said, wasn't happy with how we were playing and I think each guy knew that we had a lot more to bring individually and for the team. We've done a good job of that. You can just see the little things, the compete, the shot blocks, the physical play and doing the little things that it takes to win, especially this time of year."

The Kraken had lost five straight games in regulation heading into the holiday break as they fell well out of touch with the back end of the playoff race. But a stunning rally for a win from three goals down in Vancouver combined with the win over Utah are a needed jolt if Seattle is able to find a way back into the playoff conversation.

The line of Schwartz, Kappo, and Matty Beniers, who scored a goal for the second straight game, has been the team's best in their brief stint together.

"I think we have a pretty good line right now," Kakko said. "I like to play (with) both of those guys. I mean, Schwartz has been on fire last games, and Matty, also, pretty good player. So I like to play with both of them. I think last couple of games being getting some chances also in couple of good games."

Added Bylsma: "Obviously the passes are great passes, but just his wall play, his ability to skate with the puck,his ability to play in the offensive zone with the puck, it's just kind of giving Matty and Schwartzy some great opportunities with the puck and to play with the puck, and tonight, the results been there now for a couple games in a row."

The Kraken controlled play through the first seven minutes before a power play chance allowed Utah to grab the lead. With Brandon Tanev in the box for a boarding penalty against Michael Kesselring, the Kraken briefly gained control of the puck but were unable to clear the zone. Logan Cooley's one-timer from the right circle worked its way through Philipp Grubauer for a 1-0 lead.

Seattle seemingly answered back on a power play chance of their own. Schwartz had a nice backhand finish by goaltender Karel Vejmelka to tie the game at 1-1. However, a ruckus ensued after the goal with four penalties coming from the fray, which allowed Utah the chance to review the goal. They challenged the play, which found Chandler Stephenson had been offside when the puck entered the zone to erase the goal off the board.

Stephenson and Vince Dunn went to the box for Seattle, while Mikhail Sergechev and Cooley went off for Utah.

But the Kraken wouldn't leave the period empty-handed.

Yanni Gourde was perfectly in place to finish a rebound of a Ryker Evans shot into a mostly open net behind Vejmelka to tie the game at 1-1 with 1:54 left in the period. Less than a minute later, André Burakovsky redirected a lobbed shot from Schwartz through the legs of Vejmelka for another goal and a 2-1 Kraken lead.

"I don't want to say it was a turning point in the game, but it was a huge test in the game for us mentally and just keeping our focus, keeping our mindset. And we did," Bylsma said. "We come back. We came back strong from it, and continue to play, continue to make the next play. And it paid off in the game."

Utah pushed back hard in the second period with a 17-7 advantage in shots in the period. Seattle weathered the storm for most of the period before giving up the tying goal with less than a minute left in the period.

With Gourde arguing for a holding the stick penalty that never came, Alex Kerfoot scored off a rebound of a Matias Maccelli shot on a rush chance for Utah to tie the game at 2-2.

Dunn saved a goal for Seattle in the opening minute of the second period as he pulled the puck out of the crease after it leaked through Grubauer on a Clayton Keller shot. Gourde then immediately had a breakaway chance the opposite direction with a pair of stops from Vejmelka keeping the score tied.

Schwartz would get his goal back to give Seattle the lead once again. Kakko fired a stretch pass to find Schwartz for a breakaway at the Utah blue line as he drove in and snapped a shot through the legs of Vejmelka for a 3-2 lead.

"Just try to get it there. And I don't know, maybe a little lucky, but gets there, and nice finish," Kakko said.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 30: Jaden Schwartz #17 of the Seattle Kraken scores against Karel Vejmelka #70 of the Utah Hockey Club at Climate Pledge Arena on December 30, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)

Kakko would add another assist as Matty Beniers scored to push the lead to 4-2 less than four minutes later. Kakko's pass found Beniers in the slot for a clean chance, The initial shot rolled off Beniers' stick wide, but he tracked it down and threw it back on the net and he bounced off Vejmelka into the net for his second straight game with a goal after a 19-game drought.

"He's been playing great," Schwartz said of Kakko. "You know, he's a big body. He can see the ice well, makes little plays, kind of give-and-goe to create space, and he's been good defensively, so he's been a big addition for us."

Jared McCann added a goal on an empty net for the final 5-2 result for Seattle.