Trevor Zegras' stunning goal can't save Ducks in loss to Kraken

Ducks forward Trevor Zegras lifts the puck with his stick before scoring against Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord.

Associated Press

Dec. 23, 2023 Updated 9:33 PM PT

Vince Dunn had a goal and two assists, Tomas Tatar scored his second goal since joining Seattle last week, and the Kraken overcame a late lacrosse-style goal by Trevor Zegras for a 3-2 victory over the Ducks on Saturday night.

Oliver Bjorkstrand also scored and Joey Daccord made 32 saves for the Kraken, who have earned points in six straight games, including three consecutive road games. Tatar added an assist in his second multipoint performance in his first four games with the team, and Matty Beniers had two assists.

“We’ve played very consistently over the last few weeks,” Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. “I think we’ve gone one game in our last eight that we haven’t got points, so our guys are playing hard, regardless of what our lineup may or may not look like. Whoever’s available is going out and doing the job, working hard together. We’ve put a good string together here now, [and] three days will be valuable rest time.”

The Kraken hung on even after Zegras scored his third career lacrosse-style — or “Michigan” — goal with 5:59 left in the third period of his return from a 20-game injury absence. The Ducks center skated behind the net and picked up the puck with his stick blade before flinging it over Daccord’s shoulder from the extended goal line.

“When I went behind the net, it’s something I obviously feel comfortable with doing,” Zegras said. “In my opinion, it’s not like a crazy play for me to do. When that goalie goes post to post, usually you’ve got a little room upstairs. Lucky enough, it went in.”

Frank Vatrano scored his 15th goal and Lukas Dostal stopped 19 shots for the Ducks, who have lost 15 of 18. Anaheim improved greatly on what coach Greg Cronin described as its worst game of the season in Thursday’s shutout loss to Calgary, but still dropped to 0-2-0 to begin an eight-game homestand.

Dunn became the first player to record 100 assists with the Kraken when he set up Bjorkstrand in the first period for his 11th goal of the season. Dunn added his own goal three minutes later, putting a pass from Beniers into an open net.

“ I just try to take every opportunity that’s been given to me in this organization, and they’ve given me a lot,” Dunn said. “Just try to grasp it whenever I can, and it’s obviously a nice milestone for me.”

The Ducks’ goal drought stretched past 124 minutes before Vatrano ended it on a power play early in the second period with a hard shot from the top of the slot.

After a prolific start to the season with 14 goals in 23 games, Vatrano hadn’t scored a goal in December. He hadn’t recorded a point in his previous eight games , yet still remained the struggling Ducks’ top scorer.

“ We had a chance to win that game,” Vatrano said. “A couple of flurries in front of the net that don’t go in for us, but I think we like the way we played.”

Seattle then got another boost from Tatar, the veteran forward acquired from Colorado for a fifth-round pick last week. Tatar scored with 11:35 left in the third period, beating Dostal with a backhand for his second goal in Seattle’s last three games.

In just four games with the Kraken, Tatar already has surpassed his goal total in 27 games with the Avalanche this season.

“It feels great to have that opportunity when hockey feels right again,” Tatar said. “I’m very grateful for the guys, how they welcomed me here in Seattle. It wasn’t easy to. It was pretty fast, everything happening in a span of 48 hours, but it looks like me, Matty and Ebs [Jordan Eberle] are building some chemistry, and I’m having a lot of fun.”

Zegras was off to a slow offensive start before his injury, but he took the top-line center role previously occupied by rookie center Leo Carlsson, who sprained a ligament in his right knee Thursday against Calgary. The No. 2 overall pick, who had eight goals and seven assists in his first 23 NHL games, will be sidelined for four to six weeks.

The Ducks also played without veteran defenseman Radko Gudas, who was ruled out with a lower-body injury.

Up next for the Ducks: Host Vegas on Wednesday