Close in Colorado but no late equaliser

On December 23, 2024By Littum

“The good news for Kakko is some of the strengths of his game, what he’s good at, aligns with how we want to play,” Bylsma said before the game. “Just getting more and more comfortable playing his best game out there helps us, helps the group, but also his confidence that he can go out there and play his game.”

The lead didn’t last long, just 11 seconds in fact. Colorado superstar Nathan Mackinnon moved into the Kraken zone from the center-ice faceoff circle, Seattle D-man Jamie Oleksiak slowed but didn’t stop his shot, which Joey Daccord saved. But just 11 seconds after the Kakko score, Avalanche first lineman Valeri Nichushkin scored.

From there, Kakko and linemates Matty Beniers and Jaden Schwartz seemed to be more in sync each shift, and Kakko looked determined to make shots, carry the puck and play his game.

Kakko puts the team first before speaking his goal

“Tough loss again, it’s the first,” Kakko said when asked about scoring his first goal for Seattle. “It feels a little better to get the first one out of the way. But I mean you have to win the games. I felt better the last couple of games. Do you know that? We got the puck in the O-zone a little more and used the time low.”

On the near miss late in regulation, Beniers worked in the down-low area to put a shot on goal. Kakko grabbed the rebound but couldn’t quite lift it over goalie Mackenize Blackwood (traded to the Avalanche in early December), as the puck hit the top of the goalie’s leg pad.

“That’s a good save,” Kakko said, disappointed with herself. “But it has to be a goal.”

“Kakko has become more comfortable and better and better. I thought it was Kakko’s best game, just to see what he can do,” Bylsma said after the game. “Yes, that includes the shot on goal, but also his down-low game where a big body is at the net. That whole line did a good job with that. Kakko has a great chance there at the net where he’s big and strong and the keeper narrowly makes a save on it. All around like they were our best line tonight.”