The Seattle Kraken beat Utah. © APA / STEPH CHAMBERS

Seattle wins, Rangers crisis worsens

The Seattle Kraken have clinched their second win in a row in the NHL. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers are in a deep results crisis.

31 December 2024

From: Leo/dpa

Seattle won 5-2 against the Utah Hockey Club. Jaden Schwartz was decisive in attack, putting Seattle ahead in the final third with his twelfth goal of the season after assisting on the Kraken's first two goals. With the win, Seattle also reduced its gap to Utah in the table, but is still well behind the wild card places for the playoffs just before the halfway point of the season.

At the same time, the New York Rangers suffered their fourth defeat in a row against champions Florida. Artemi Panarin & Co. twice came back from behind at 3:5, but in the 52nd minute Jesper Boqvist scored the decisive 4:3. The assist came from his brother Adam. In the end, superstar Alexander Barkov scored into the empty net. The Rangers are now only third from last in the Eastern Conference and are already seven points behind a playoff spot.

In brilliant form: Connor Hellebuyck © APA / CHRIS TANOUYE

Meanwhile, the Winnipeg Jets underlined their leading position in the Western Conference with a 3-0 win against the Nashville Predators. Gabriel Vilardi shone with two power play goals, and goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck celebrated his fifth shutout of the season. Nashville, led by Swiss Roman Josi, is moving further and further away from the playoff spots.