The Kraken snuff out the Canucks

Eberle's three points keep the Kraken burning

One candle leaves lit

Only one candle would leave Rogers Arena still lit. The Seattle Kraken had already doused the Flames on qualification night. The Vancouver Canucks had sent the Predators dark. Neither club had a Gauntlet past, and they had never met in one before. Last season Seattle finished 12th of 32 and Vancouver 22nd. In the Round of 16 a loss meant a flame gone cold, and only 11 would still burn when the night was over.

Defensemen trade slappers

J.T. Miller struck first with a backhand at 5:34 of the first. The Canucks' lead lasted 20:09 before Jamie Oleksiak, a defenseman, slapped Seattle level at 5:43 of the second, with Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle assisting. Eberle then wristed the Kraken ahead at 13:04. Quinn Hughes, a Vancouver defenseman, answered with a slapshot of his own at 15:48, and it was tied again.

Two strikes, one survivor

The third period went Seattle's way. Yanni Gourde tipped one home at 4:19, set up by Will Borgen and Eeli Tolvanen. Just 2:29 later Beniers wristed in what stood up as the game winner, with Eberle on the assist again. Vancouver answered once more. Nils Hoglander tipped one past Philipp Grubauer with 11 seconds left. It came too late. Grubauer finished with 21 saves and Thatcher Demko made 22 at the other end, and the Canucks' flame was snuffed.