Avalanche vs. Kraken score: Seattle ends Colorado's title defense, wins franchise's first playoff series

The Kraken knocked off the defending Stanley Cup champions

In just their second season since becoming an NHL franchise, the Seattle Kraken have earned a playoff series win. On Sunday, the Kraken defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche 2-1 in Game 7.

In doing so, the Kraken became the first team in NHL history to earn their first series win against a reigning Stanley Cup champion.

Forward Oliver Bjorkstrand led the way for the Kraken as he scored two goals. In fact, Bjorkstrand's two goals came on consecutive shots in the second period to put the Kraken ahead 2-0.

At the 3:24 mark of the second period, Bjorkstrand threw the puck in front and it bounced off of multiple players. It made its way over Avalanche goaltender Alexandar Georgiev's shoulder for the goal to open the scoring. Just four minutes later, Bjorkstrand made his presence known yet again. He got ahead of the pack and scored on a scorching shot. Forward Eeli Tolvanen got the puck up to Bjorkstrand at the other end of the ice, and Bjorkstrand ripped a snap shot that clanged off the post on its way into the net.

Late in the second period, Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon had missed an opportunity on an open shot. However, he was able to make up for it just moments later. 

MacKinnon gave the puck off to defenseman Devon Toews then Toews handed it right back to MacKinnon. MacKinnon teed up a one-timer in the face-off circle and the puck deflected off of the body of teammate Mikko Rantanen before going past Philipp Grubauer.

Rantanen got credit for the goal and made it a 2-1 deficit in the final minute of the second period. Grubauer had stopped the first 26 shots that he faced prior to Rantanen's tally.

Nathan MacKinnon buried a one-timer off another pass from Devon Toews. However, Artturi Lehkonen was offside entering the offensive zone ahead of Toews, so the goal has been taken off the board.

Grubauer was sensational down the stretch as he stopped 33 of the 34 shots that he faced in Game 7 to beat his former team.

[May 1, 2023 at 12:09 am ET · Chris Bengel]

Oliver Bjorkstrand hit the pipe AGAIN. Bjorkstrand snapped the puck past Alexandar Georgiev's glove, but it rang off the post for the third time tonight. Bjorkstrand could have five goals tonight, but instead, the Kraken only hold a 2-1 advantage with 1:58 left in the third period of Game 7.

[Apr 30, 2023 at 11:58 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Alexandar Georgiev denies Oliver Bjorkstrand yet again. Bjorkstrand has really had a nose for the net tonight.

[Apr 30, 2023 at 11:46 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Oliver Bjorkstrand uncorks a shot that clangs off of Alexandar Georgiev's mask then off of the crossbar. Bjorkstrand was just inches from recording the hat trick.

[Apr 30, 2023 at 11:38 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Nathan MacKinnon buried a one-timer off another pass from Devon Toews. However, Artturi Lehkonen was offside entering the offensive zone ahead of Toews, so the goal has been taken off the board. Kraken still lead 2-1 with 17:40 to go.

[Apr 30, 2023 at 11:17 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Kraken 2, Avalanche 1 -- End of 2nd period

The Kraken were getting severely outshot early in the second period, but still managed to have some offensive success. Forward Oliver Bjorkstrand scored a pair of goals on back-to-back shots to give the Kraken a 2-0 lead in the first 7:22 of the second period. Still, the Avalanche were able to take advantage of a Vince Dunn tripping penalty and climb back into the contest. Nathan MacKinnon delivered a one-timer from the face-off circle that deflected off of the body of teammate Mikko Rantanen and past Kraken netminder Philipp Grubauer to make it a 2-1 game. Grubauer had stopped the first 26 shots that he faced before Rantanen's tally. 

[Apr 30, 2023 at 11:12 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Nathan MacKinnon atones for his sin on the previous chance. The Colorado star gives the puck off to defenseman Devon Toews then Toews hands it right back to MacKinnon. MacKinnon teed up a one-timer in the face-off circle and put one past Philipp Grubauer to make it a 2-1 deficit now.