The Seattle Kraken dropped a 4-2 decision to the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena, unable to contain a rookie-fueled second-period offensive surge that saw Detroit score three times to take control of the game and begin a four-game homestand with a victory.
Nate Danielson recorded a goal and an assist for his first two NHL points, whilst Lucas Raymond and Emmitt Finnie also scored in Detroit’s decisive three-goal second period. Dylan Larkin added an empty-net goal late in the third that gave him 600 career points. Danielson, Finnie and defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, all rookies this season, combined for four points in the second period as Detroit’s young players made the difference in the contest.
Danielson, the ninth overall pick in the 2023 draft playing in just his fifth career game, gave the Red Wings a 2-1 lead merely 45 seconds after Raymond had opened the second-period scoring. Sandin-Pellikka’s point shot deflected off Mason Appleton’s stick and Danielson’s shin pad before eluding Seattle goalie Joey Daccord, who was making his return from a five-game absence due to an upper-body injury.
The 21-year-old Danielson appeared to have a second goal later in the period that would have extended Detroit’s lead, but the tally was erased following a replay challenge by the Kraken that revealed Finnie had been offside entering the zone. Danielson remained involved in the scoring, however, feeding Finnie with a precise pass into the slot for the go-ahead power-play goal midway through the second period that pushed Detroit’s advantage to 3-1.
Larkin’s empty-net goal late in the third period reached the 600-career-point milestone for the Red Wings captain, a goal set up by Raymond to give the fifth-year forward his fourth consecutive multipoint game. Raymond has been on an exceptional run recently with two goals and eight assists in his last five games, providing consistent offensive production for Detroit.
Jordan Eberle scored on a power play with 58 seconds remaining in the first period to give Seattle an early lead, capitalising on the man advantage to beat Detroit netminder Alex Lyon. Eberle’s goal marked a personal milestone, as he became the fourth player to reach the 300-game mark with the Kraken franchise, which joined the NHL as an expansion club four years ago. The veteran forward has been one of Seattle’s most consistent performers since the franchise’s inaugural season, providing leadership and offensive production.
Ryker Evans tied the game at 2-2 early in the second period for the Kraken, momentarily shifting momentum back to the visitors before Detroit’s three-goal outburst in the frame proved insurmountable. Evans’ goal, his contribution to the Kraken’s offensive effort, briefly suggested Seattle might build on the equaliser and seize control of the contest, but Detroit’s quick response extinguished that possibility.
Daccord stopped 24 shots in his return to the Seattle net after missing the previous five games with an upper-body injury. His return provided stability in goal for the Kraken, though the five-game layoff likely created timing and positioning challenges that typically require multiple games to fully overcome following extended absences from game action.
The loss begins a challenging four-game road trip for Seattle on a disappointing note, with the team unable to generate the defensive consistency necessary to contain Detroit’s offensive pressure, particularly during the decisive second period when the Red Wings established control. The Kraken’s inability to maintain momentum following Evans’ equalising goal reflected ongoing challenges sustaining consistent play across full 60-minute efforts, particularly in hostile road environments where momentum shifts favour home teams.
The defeat also highlighted special teams disparities, with both teams scoring power-play goals but Detroit capitalising on man-advantage opportunities during the crucial second period when the game’s outcome was still uncertain. The Kraken’s penalty kill, whilst generally solid, allowed Finnie’s go-ahead power-play tally that proved to be the game-winning goal.
For Detroit, the victory represented a successful start to a four-game homestand that provides opportunity to build momentum and climb the standings through sustained success in familiar surroundings. The contributions from rookies Danielson, Finnie and Sandin-Pellikka demonstrated the depth and talent within Detroit’s prospect pipeline, suggesting the franchise’s rebuild may be ahead of schedule as young players provide immediate NHL-level production.
