Kaapo Kakko scores twice in 3rd period in the Kraken’s 6-2 victory over the Sabres
Seattle Kraken center Jaden Schwartz (17) collides with Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1)during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Original Publication Date: January 11, 2025 4:38PM
Publication Updated: April 11, 2025 12:15AM
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Kaapo Kakko scored twice in the third period, Joey Daccord made 33 saves and the Seattle Kraken overcame an early two-goal deficit to beat the Buffalo Sabres 6-2 on Saturday.
Oliver Bjorkstrand gave Seattle the lead on a scramble in front of the net at 3:08 of the third. Kakko scored 38 seconds later, and added another goal on a power play 1:40 after that.
Andre Burakovsky, Ryker Evans and Brandon Tanev also scored to help the Kraken snap a four-game skid. Chandler Stephenson, Joshua Mahura and Jared McCann each had two assists.
The Kraken scored six straight goals after Sam Lafferty and Jack Quinn gave the Sabres a 2-0 lead in the first period. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stopped 24 shots for Buffalo.
The Sabres had won two in a row.
Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) attempts to tip the puck past Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord, right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Takeaways
Kraken: Rallied from a multi-goal deficit for an NHL-best sixth time, rebounding from a 6-2 loss in Columbus on Thursday night.
Sabres: Fans booed and bellowed for general manager Kevyn Adams to be fired and owner Terry Pegula to sell the team after the season’s 15th blown lead in a loss.
Key moment
After Luukkonen made the save on an initial shot by Burakovsky, the rebound shot by Bjorkstrand ricocheted off the goalie’s leg pad and into the net off the glove of Sabres defenseman Jacob Bryson.
Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko (84) celebrates his goal with center Jaden Schwartz (17) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Key stat
The Kraken are 4-0-0 liftime in Buffalo with a 22-11 goal differential.
Up next
Seattle is at Detroit on Sunday in the middle of a five-game trip. Buffalo has three days off before hosting Carolina on Wednesday night.
Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) and Seattle Kraken right wing Kaapo Kakko (84) take a faceoff during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Seattle Kraken defenseman Ryker Evans (41) celebrates with right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Seattle Kraken left wing Brandon Tanev (13) is stopped by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Seattle Kraken center Matty Beniers (10) is pressured by Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (26) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton (75) and Seattle Kraken center Jaden Schwartz (17) battle for position in front of Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord makes a glove-save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright (51) takes the puck from Buffalo Sabres center Sam Lafferty (81) during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Sabres center Sam Lafferty (81) celebrates after his goal with defenseman Connor Clifton (75) during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Seattle Kraken, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Seattle Kraken right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand, right, celebrates his his goal with center Matty Beniers (10) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens (24) is stopped by Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord (35) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.
