Defense is overrated. At least, that’s what the Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken thought Tuesday night.
The two teams combined for 17 goals in the highest-scoring game of the NHL season thus far. The Kraken won the wild contest 9-8 in overtime.
According to NHL Stats, Tuesday’s contest was the 12th regular-season game in the past 35 years to produce at least 17 goals. Only three games in that time period have totaled more than 17, with three contests ending with 18 goals. All three of those games happened before the turn of the century.
Andre Burakovsky led Seattle with two goals, including the game-winner in overtime. Matty Beniers and Jared McCann both scored twice for the Kraken. The nine goals are the most in a single game for the Kraken, who are playing in their second NHL season.
“It was kind of a messed-up night,” Burakovsky told reporters after the game. “We were trading chances, a lot of sloppy plays. I think we played a really bad game, and so did they. We were lucky that they didn’t play good at all.”
Gabe Vilardi led Los Angeles with two goals as one of seven Kings players to score. In total, 14 players scored in the high-flying affair.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
• Jacob Calvin Meyer can be reached at jmeyer@washingtontimes.com.
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