A Historic Shutout at the Winter Classic
In a remarkable display of skill and composure, Seattle Kraken goalie Joey Daccord achieved a historic feat by shutting out the Vegas Golden Knights with a 3-0 victory. The match, which took place at the 2024 NHL Winter Classic on Monday, saw Daccord make an impressive 35 saves, marking the first shutout in the history of the Winter Classic and adding to his personal tally of five shutouts in the NHL's outdoor games.
Notably, this isn't the first time Daccord has left his mark on the ice; he previously shut out the Florida Panthers on December 12, 2023. His consistent performance has been a cornerstone for the Kraken's success, as evident in the team's current nine-game point streak (7-0-2).
Daccord's Key Saves
The game was punctuated by several critical moments where Daccord's prowess as a goaltender shone through. He made key saves against formidable opponents such as Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, much to the delight of the fans who later chanted his name in a show of appreciation at T-Mobile Park.
Matty Beniers, Seattle's center, praised Daccord's reliability between the posts, saying, "You always talk about goalies and what a really good goalie is, and the best way to describe it is he saves the ones he needs to and then he saves one or two more that he shouldn't save. And that's what he's done for us basically every game."
Seattle's Offensive Contributions
On the offensive front, Eeli Tolvanen made significant contributions to the team's victory, scoring a goal and assisting another. Tolvanen demonstrated his sharp instincts early in the first period by redirecting a shot from Vince Dunn into the net. Will Borgen capitalized on Tolvanen's assist in the second period, scoring another goal for Seattle.
Yanni Gourde also made headlines by stealing the puck and scoring early in the third period, further cementing the Kraken's lead and contributing to the Golden Knights' mounting frustrations.
Coaches Reflect on the Game
Seattle Kraken coach Dave Hakstol expressed his satisfaction with both the victory and the event itself, stating, "To have the opportunity to do this in this ballpark, in front of our home fans, get the result that everybody wanted makes it pretty special and that's the best way to remember this event."
Meanwhile, the mood in the Vegas camp was less celebratory. The Golden Knights, who have experienced a slump with their fifth loss in six games, are looking introspectively to understand their recent performances. Coach Bruce Cassidy conveyed his disappointment, particularly with the team's start to the game. "It got to be 2-0 and we didn't have the urgency required early on. By the time we got it, we're chasing the game, which has happened to us lately," said Cassidy. He added, "I'm a little disappointed in that we weren't better out of the gate."
Mark Stone, reflecting on his team's struggles, suggested that fatigue might be playing a role in the Golden Knights' recent downturn.
Looking Ahead
Both teams are preparing for their next challenges. The Vegas Golden Knights will face the Florida Panthers on January 4, hoping to reverse their fortunes. On the same day, the Seattle Kraken will host the Ottawa Senators, aiming to extend their impressive point streak further.
As the season progresses, the Seattle Kraken continue to solidify their reputation as a formidable opponent in the NHL, with Joey Daccord's exceptional goaltending being a significant factor in their rise. The Vegas Golden Knights, conversely, will be seeking to regain their form and return to winning ways. With the stakes high and the competition fierce, the remainder of the NHL season promises to be as thrilling as ever.