McCann's go-ahead goal in the third period lifts Kraken to 2-1 win over Panthers

McCann’s go-ahead goal in the third period lifts Kraken to 2-1 win over Panthers

1 of 10 |

Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann (19), celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

2 of 10 |

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) and center Shane Wright (51) celebrate after defeating the Florida Panthers during an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

3 of 10 |

Seattle Kraken left wing Jared McCann, center, celebrates his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

4 of 10 |

Florida Panthers center Evan Rodrigues talks to right wing Mackie Samoskevich after his goal was called back due to goaltender interference by Rodrigues during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

5 of 10 |

Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

6 of 10 |

Florida Panthers center Eetu Luostarinen (27) scores against Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

7 of 10 |

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) and defenseman Ryker Evans (41) defend a shot by Florida Panthers left wing A.J. Greer (10) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

8 of 10 |

Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) goes after a shot on goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

9 of 10 |

Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko (84) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

10 of 10 |

Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko scores a goal against Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Jared McCann scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Seattle Kraken held on to beat the Florida Panthers 2-1 on Saturday night.

Kaappo Kakko also had a goal and Joey Daccord stopped 26 shots for the Kraken, who snapped a three-game losing skid and split the two-game season series against the Atlantic Division-leading Panthers.

Eetu Luostarinen scored for Florida, which played without star forward Matthew Tkachuk after he suffered a lower body injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off while representing the United States.

With the game tied at 1, Shane Wright entered Florida’s zone and centered a pass to Adam Larsson, who found McCann on the left wing. McCann flipped a shot past Sergei Bobrovsky at 7:03 to put the Kraken ahead.

Seattle struck early on Kakko’s power-play goal 6:32 into the first period. Kakko took Matty Beniers’ pass by the left circle and then moved near the crease, where he beat Bobrovsky on the short side for his 10th goal of the season.

Luostarinen’s goal on an assist from Anton Lundell midway through the second period tied at 1.

Takeaways

Kraken: Forward Jordan Eberle returned after missing 39 games because of a pelvic injury suffered in a game against Chicago on Nov. 14. Eberle logged 14:03 of ice time on 16 shifts.

Panthers: The loss snapped a five-game home win streak. Florida also had won nine of 12 before the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Key moment

The Kraken successfully challenged and had a goal by Florida’s Mackie Samoskevich late in the second period overturned because of goaltender interference against Evan Rodrigues.

Key stat

In addition to Daccord’s 26 saves, the Kraken blocked 15 shots. Former Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour, in his first game at Florida since signing with Seattle as a free agent in the offseason, had three blocks.

Up next

The Kraken visit Tampa Bay on Sunday, while the Panthers are at Nashville on Tuesday.

—

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl