Schwartz Nets Hat Trick As Kraken Win 4-2 Over Kings

Seattle, WA - The Kraken welcomed the league's top defensive team, the LA Kings, to Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday night for the second of four epic encounters between Seattle and Los Angeles—and the first of two on home ice.

Joey Daccord was back between the pipes for the Kraken, fresh off earning his first assist of the season in Pittsburgh against the Penguins on Thursday. On the other side, it was Darcy Kuemper in net for the Kings. Brandon Tanev made his return after missing a game due to a brief illness, while Mitchell Stephens and John Hayden were added to the evening's lineup.

The Kraken wasted no time in testing one of the season’s best goalies, with Jaden Schwartz blasting a wrist shot past Kuemper, assisted by Kaapo Kakko who is riding a four-game point streak. But the Kings responded quickly, leveling the score with a power-play goal from Adrian Kempe, courtesy of a high-sticking penalty on Matty Beniers.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Yet Schwartz wasn’t done. He struck again, scoring his second goal of the night in the first period, this time assisted by Kakko and Beniers—thanks in part to a huge hit from Josh Mahura on the Kings' Warren Foegele. But Jordan Spence would answer, making it 2-2 before the end of one of the most thrilling first periods the Kraken have played in some time.

View the original article to see embedded media.

The Kraken's momentum carried over into the second period, with Chandler Stephenson scoring his 7th goal of the season at 1:37. He was assisted by Oliver Bjorkstrand and Andre Burakovsky, who ranks first on the team in assists (13) and points (20), and shares second in goals (7) in 22 career contests against the Kings.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Daccord was outstanding in the third period shutting things down for the Kings.

View the original article to see embedded media.

But the star of the game went to Jaden Schwartz who scored his third goal of the game sending the hats flying onto home ice.

View the original article to see embedded media.

Before the game, the Kraken announced that proceeds from the 50/50 raffle would benefit the United Way of Greater LA Wildfire Response Fund. Signed player jerseys were also auctioned off to support the LA Kings Foundation. The 50/50 raffle raised a total of $39,580, part of a season-high jackpot. Players also wore LA Fire decals on their helmets during the game as well.

View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article

Related Video

Join the discussion with others in your hockey community! Just bookmark Seattle Kraken Forum or create an account to receive the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.