Making his first NHL begin in almost 20 months, Chris Driedger made 37 saves to backstop the Seattle Kraken to a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night time.
“He was excellent for us tonight, proper from the primary interval by,” stated Seattle coach Dave Hakstol. “A pair saves on the PK have been difference-makers and he needed to make yet one more for us proper earlier than the buzzer. Actually comfortable for him. He’s labored onerous to have that chance.
“He was a difference-maker for us tonight.”
Kailer Yamamoto and Alex Wennberg scored for Seattle (13-14-9). The Kraken prolonged their factors streak to seven video games (5-0-2) and moved forward of Calgary within the Pacific Division standings.
Nazem Kadri scored for Calgary (14-16-5). Making his fourth-straight begin for the Flames, Jacob Markstrom had 19 saves.
After the conclusion of his first season with the Kraken, Driedger tore his ACL whereas enjoying for Canada within the gold medal sport of the 2022 world championships.
The ensuing surgical procedure sidelined him most of final season earlier than he returned to motion in late February with Seattle’s American Hockey League affiliate in Coachella, the place he performed for the remainder of the season.
“Probably the most adversity I’ve ever confronted in my profession,” stated Driedger, whose final NHL begin was Could 1, 2022. “It’s been an extended highway, lot of hours spent with the medical employees placing in hours when the blokes are skating and doing my very own factor and watching from the stands.
“To return out and eventually get again in, it was fairly emotional.”
His greatest cease, maintaining the sport tied, got here on a Flames two-man benefit within the second interval when he went from publish to publish to rob Elias Lindholm together with the online after he had been arrange for a one-timer by a cross-crease move from Connor Zary.
“He did wonderful,” stated Wennberg.
“He performed video games down there but it surely’s a distinct sport up right here and simply making these huge saves. He’s successful the sport for us.”
Seattle Kraken goalie Chris Driedger makes a save in opposition to Calgary Flames’ Elias Lindholm throughout third interval NHL hockey motion in Calgary, Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal
Tied at 1, the game-winner got here off the stick of Wennberg six minutes into the third when he took a move from Jared McCann and zipped a fast shot that beat Markstrom contained in the publish on the brief facet.
Seattle opened the scoring 2:24 into the sport on its first shot when Vince Dunn’s move sprang Yamamoto on a breakaway. Kadri scored on the ability play six minutes later.
“You attempt to bear down in these conditions, in fact, we wish to rating and we wish to capitalize on these alternatives,” stated Kadri.
“However on the identical time, he made some nice saves, well timed saves to maintain his workforce in it on the highway.”
It was Seattle’s 2 hundredth common season sport in franchise historical past. Defenceman Adam Larsson is the one participant to have performed in each one.
At 304 consecutive video games, Larsson has the league’s fifth-longest lively Iron Man streak.
© 2023 The Related Press