Kraken 5, Canucks 3: Nyman’s brace and Dunn’s three apples headline a confident opener
Seattle began the 2025–26 preseason with a 5–3 win over Vancouver at Climate Pledge Arena, delivering the kind of veteran-supported, prospect-boosted performance the coaching staff hoped to see. Jani Nyman scored twice at even strength while Vince Dunn piled up three primary assists during a decisive second-period push. Kaapo Kakko added two primary helpers, and John Hayden’s third-period finish from Oscar Fisker Molgaard iced the night.
How it unfolded
Eduard Šalé opened the scoring off a Jordan Eberle takeaway, with Blake Fiddler jumping up to supply the secondary assist. Vancouver equalized on a second-period power play, but Seattle answered in layers: Nyman hammered a feed from Kakko for 2–1, Jaden Schwartz finished a quick-strike play from Shane Wright to make it 3–1 at five-on-five, and Nyman struck again minutes later on another Kakko touch—each sequence flowing through Dunn’s first-pass precision. A late penalty-shot tally cut the lead to 4–2, yet Hayden restored a three-goal cushion early in the third before Nils Åman replied to set the final margin.
Actual lines and usage
Forwards started as Nyman–Beniers–Kakko; Schwartz–Wright–Firkus; Šalé–Catton–Eberle; Molgaard–O’Brien–Hayden. Defense pairs were Dunn–Larsson; Evans–Oleksiak; Olofsson–Fiddler. Joey Daccord handled the first two periods, with Niklas Kokko closing the third. Vancouver dressed a youth-leaning group and split the crease between Nikita Tolopilo and Ty Young; their defense pairs featured Elias Pettersson (D) with Tom Willander, Victor Mancini with Jimmy Schuldt, and P.O Joseph with Sawyer Mynio.
Expectations vs. reality
The top line exceeded hopes, producing two even-strength goals and controlling shifts. Schwartz–Wright–Firkus met the brief with responsible routes and an even-strength strike from Schwartz off Wright’s setup. The Šalé–Catton–Eberle trio delivered the opener, and the fourth line chipped in with the 5–2 marker while tilting the ice through uncomplicated, physical shifts. On the back end, Dunn–Larsson reestablished pair timing, with Dunn’s three-assist night setting a puck-movement standard and Larsson steadying the house. Special teams were mixed—Seattle went 0-for-2 on the power play and held Vancouver to 1-for-6.
What it means
For a club seeking a reset under a new bench boss, this was a constructive first step. Process indicators matched the scoreboard: cleaner exits, layered forecheck pressure, and net-front control. Prospects like Nyman and Catton handled NHL pace, while Kakko’s puck protection and Dunn’s distribution suggested repeatable offense. It is only preseason, but the early signs align with the organization’s hopes for sharper structure and better finishing depth.
Kraken top Canucks 5–3 in preseason opener; Nyman nets two, Dunn dishes three
2025-09-21 • 17:00 America/Los_Angeles • Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
Seattle Kraken 5 — Vancouver Canucks 3
Home: Seattle Kraken
Head coach: Lane Lambert • Result: win (5-3)
Team stats
Shots: 24 • Hits: 15 • Blocks: 17
Faceoff%: 49.2 • PP: 0/2 (0%)
PIM: 27 • PK vs: 6 (GA: 1)
Goalies used
Joey Daccord • Started; played first two periods
Niklas Kokko • Relief; played third period
Actual lines/pairs
Forwards: Jani Nyman – Matty Beniers – Kaapo Kakko | Jaden Schwartz – Shane Wright – Jagger Firkus | Eduard Šalé – Berkly Catton – Jordan Eberle | Oscar Fisker Molgaard – Jake O'Brien – John Hayden
Defense: Vince Dunn – Adam Larsson | Ryker Evans – Jamie Oleksiak | Gustav Olofsson – Blake Fiddler
Starter: Joey Daccord • Relief: Niklas Kokko
Line performance vs expectations
F1: Jani Nyman – Matty Beniers – Kaapo Kakko
GF: 2 • GA: 0
Assessment: Exceeded
Two even-strength goals from Nyman off Kakko feeds; line tilted play and stayed clean against.
F2: Jaden Schwartz – Shane Wright – Jagger Firkus
GF: 1 • GA: 0
Assessment: Met
Produced an even-strength goal (Schwartz from Wright) and managed matchups; responsible routes from Wright.
F3: Eduard Šalé – Berkly Catton – Jordan Eberle
GF: 1 • GA: 0
Assessment: Exceeded
Opened the scoring; Catton handled center pace, Eberle created the turnover leading to Šalé's finish.
F4: Oscar Fisker Molgaard – Jake O'Brien – John Hayden
GF: 1 • GA: 0
Assessment: Exceeded
Energy line added insurance (Hayden from Molgaard) and drove north–south shifts.
D1: Vince Dunn – Adam Larsson
GF: 3 • GA: 0
Assessment: Exceeded
Dunn posted three primary assists during second-period surge; Larsson controlled net-front.
D2: Ryker Evans – Jamie Oleksiak
GF: 0 • GA: 0
Assessment: Met
Evans beat forecheck pressure on retrievals; Oleksiak sealed the slot.
D3: Gustav Olofsson – Blake Fiddler
GF: 1 • GA: 0
Assessment: Met
Low-event depth; Fiddler earned secondary assist on opener.
Individual performance vs expectations
Jani Nyman (LW)
G 2 • A 0 • P 2
Assessment: Exceeded
Heavy release and interior routes produced two EV goals.
Kaapo Kakko (RW)
G 0 • A 2 • P 2
Assessment: Exceeded
Two primary helpers; strong puck protection along the wall.
Matty Beniers (C)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Met
Drove entries and handled draws; line controlled flow despite no points.
Jaden Schwartz (LW)
G 1 • A 0 • P 1
Assessment: Met
Scored at even strength; veteran glue on forecheck.
Shane Wright (C)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1
Assessment: Met
Primary assist; two-way pace and faceoffs on track.
Jagger Firkus (RW)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Not_met
Limited touches; process fine but finish didn’t show.
Eduard Šalé (LW)
G 1 • A 0 • P 1
Assessment: Exceeded
Opened scoring off Eberle takeaway; poised reads.
Berkly Catton (C)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Met
Handled NHL decision speed; clean middle support.
Jordan Eberle (RW)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1
Assessment: Met
Created turnover and fed Šalé; veteran composure.
Oscar Fisker Molgaard (LW)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1
Assessment: Exceeded
Primary assist on 5–2; strong energy shifts.
Jake O'Brien (C)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Met
Generated a breakaway; kept routes simple.
John Hayden (RW)
G 1 • A 0 • P 1
Assessment: Exceeded
Net-front finish and physical tone.
Vince Dunn (LD)
G 0 • A 3 • P 3
Assessment: Exceeded
Three primary assists; first-pass clinic.
Adam Larsson (RD)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Met
Cleared the crease; ended cycles.
Ryker Evans (LD)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Met
Beat pressure on retrievals and exits.
Jamie Oleksiak (RD)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Met
Protected slot; PK reps.
Gustav Olofsson (LD)
G 0 • A 0 • P 0
Assessment: Met
Low-event depth minutes.
Blake Fiddler (RD)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1
Assessment: Met
Assist on opener; simple, effective positioning.
Away: Vancouver Canucks
Head coach: Adam Foote • Result: loss (3-5)
Team stats
Shots: 25 • Hits: 34 • Blocks: 10
Faceoff%: 50.8 • PP: 1/6 (16.7%)
PIM: 9 • PK vs: (GA: )
Goalies used
Nikita Tolopilo • First half
Ty Young • Second half
Actual lines/pairs
Defense: Elias Pettersson (D) – Tom Willander | Victor Mancini – Jimmy Schuldt | P.O Joseph – Sawyer Mynio
Forward combinations rotated; featured Filip Chytil, Nils Höglander, Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Braeden Cootes, Joseph LaBate, Chase Stillman, Nils Åman, Teddy Blueger and others.
Individual performance vs expectations
Victor Mancini (D)
G 1 • A 0 • P 1
Chase Stillman (F)
G 1 • A 0 • P 1
Nils Åman (F)
G 1 • A 0 • P 1
Braeden Cootes (F)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1
Kiefer Sherwood (F)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1
Joseph LaBate (F)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1
P.O Joseph (D)
G 0 • A 1 • P 1