Jeff Skinner recorded a hat trick, kickstarting a remarkable three-goal surge within the first six minutes of play that forced Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord out of the net, paving the way for the Buffalo Sabres to dominate with a 6-2 victory on Monday night.
In addition to Skinner’s heroics, Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch also found the back of the net during an explosive first period for the Sabres, who clinched their first win in six encounters against the third-year Kraken. With 71 points, Buffalo remains four points behind Washington for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, with 13 games remaining.
Buffalo’s Owen Power contributed another goal, while Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stood tall with 32 saves, guiding the Sabres to bounce back from their 4-1 loss against Detroit on Saturday. Luukkonen has now allowed three or fewer goals in 26 of his last 27 games.
“That’s just how it’s going to be from now on — we just sort of move on to the next game,” remarked Skinner, who leads the team with 24 goals. “We have another one tomorrow (at Pacific Division-leading Vancouver), so we won’t be able to think about this one too long. It’s sort of a big challenge tomorrow, and everyone knows we need two points.”
The scoring flurry began after Jordan Eberle provided the Kraken with a 1–0 lead just 24 seconds into the game — the third-fastest goal in team history. Matty Beniers added a power-play goal late in the first period, but the Kraken extended their losing streak to five games, all at home.
Daccord managed only four saves before being replaced by Phillip Grubauer, who made 23 saves for the remainder of the game. With 68 points, Seattle sits 11 points out of a Western Conference playoff spot with 15 games left.
This marks the second time in three weeks that Daccord has been replaced mid-game.
“No. 1, those are quality shots. The first goal against, with Thompson, I mean that’s just a hell of a shot, right?” commented Kraken coach Dave Hakstol. “But you get to a point where, even though they’re from pretty good areas, the second and the third ones are still pucks that I know, when Joey’s on, he stops. He sees those and he makes those saves.”
Moments after Eberle’s opener, Thompson tied the game with a precise shot from just outside the top of the right circle. Skinner then put the Sabres ahead at 3:56, followed by Tuch’s goal from the top of the slot at 5:41, forcing Daccord to the bench.
“I liked the response. I thought it was a great response,” praised Buffalo coach Don Granato. “I thought our energy level was high, and whenever we play with a high energy level, we play well, and we did tonight. The response after giving up the goal early, to respond really quick after that was outstanding.”
Skinner and Power later scored 24 seconds apart in the second period, extending Buffalo’s lead to 5-2. Skinner sealed his hat trick with just under two minutes left in the game.
“He’s deadly. When’s he on, he can score and create plays and that’s a big burst of life for us, especially when we’ve been struggling to score,” said Thompson. “When he gets hot, he’s hot, and we need him to start feeling that and keep riding him. He does a good job of being positive and making everyone in a good mood. And now that he’s playing like that, he’s going to be even better.”
