Seattle opened its preseason on the right foot with a 4-2 win over Vancouver, using a late push to separate after a tight, energetic contest. The Kraken got goals from Jake O'Brien and Archie Baines in the third period, then held on to finish the night with a decisive result.
How the Game Played Out
The pace came quickly, even in a preseason setting, with both teams getting chances early and both goaltenders asked to stay sharp. Seattle had the better looks in the opening stretch, including a two-on-one where Logan Morrison elected to shoot, but Vancouver’s netminder turned it aside. Later, Josh Mahur and Jimmy Schult each tested the opposition, while Seattle also came close when a rebound opportunity in tight hit the post.
The game remained composed but competitive through the middle portion, with shots at both ends and plenty of turnover pressure. Seattle’s structure showed up in the defensive zone and through neutral-zone exits, while Vancouver countered with quick breakouts of its own. Even in the exhibition context, there was enough pace and traffic to force several difficult saves and a few scrambles around the crease.
The breakthrough sequence came in the third period, when Braden Coots scored at 8:51 remaining to put Vancouver on the board. The goal came on an outnumbered chance, and Coots beat the goalie on the blocker side after Vancouver worked the puck into a dangerous spot. That cut into Seattle’s cushion and gave the game a new edge.
Vancouver kept pressing and found another answer with 4:09 left, this time on a two-man advantage after the goalie was pulled. Coots again was central to the play, moving the puck cross-ice to Archie Baines, who finished from the open side to bring Vancouver within one. It was a sharp power-play look and a reminder that the Canucks could still generate a dangerous finish late.
Seattle answered almost immediately with the sort of response coaches love. Jake O'Brien scored off Jacob Milansson’s forechecking pressure, turning a hard-working shift into a crucial goal. The play began with Seattle forcing a turnover and creating the chance through pressure up ice, then O'Brien finished quickly to restore breathing room. That marker proved especially important because it came after Vancouver had narrowed the gap and was pushing for more.
The Kraken then put the game away with another late goal from Archie Baines, completing the 4-2 final. Seattle’s closing stretch was built on pace, pressure, and opportunistic finishing, the kind of late-game response that can matter even in preseason play. Vancouver had moments, but Seattle’s final surge made the difference.
What the Result Means
For Seattle, this was the right kind of preseason start: a win built on effort, response, and timely scoring. The Kraken showed they could withstand a late push, answer immediately after conceding, and finish the game with composure. That matters in exhibition hockey, where execution and habits are often the bigger story than the final score alone.
For Vancouver, the game offered some encouraging late pressure, especially with the power-play pressure that produced the second goal. Coots and Baines were part of the best push, and the Canucks found a way to make the game tight in the third period. Still, Seattle’s response after the one-goal game was the decisive moment, and that is what separated the sides in the end.
As a preseason opener, the result gives Seattle a clean starting point and a positive tone heading into the rest of camp. Vancouver will take the chance to reset and build from the stretches where it generated pressure and found answers late.
Watch the Highlights
Seattle’s preseason opener delivered enough pace, chances, and late drama to make the final score feel earned. Watch the highlights to see the goals from Braden Coots, Jake O'Brien, and Archie Baines, along with the late push that closed it out.
Final Score: Seattle Kraken 4, Vancouver Canucks 2.
Final Score: Seattle Kraken 4, Vancouver Canucks 2.
Source: Highlightly match API