CALGARY, Alberta — What little history the Kraken have will show that Matty Beniers took the ice for his very first NHL shift just 21 seconds into Tuesday night’s debut game.
More importantly, it will be noted that just under 14 minutes later, the team’s No. 2 overall pick from last summer’s entry draft recorded his first-ever NHL point. Beniers gaining the primary assist on Ryan Donato’s opening goal ultimately wasn’t enough in what became a 5-3 loss to the Calgary Flames, but the Kraken hope it’s a demarcation point of sorts between where they are and what they aspire to be.
The Kraken appeared primed for their first-ever victory over the Pacific Division leaders in their fourth and final crack at them, taking a two-goal lead into the final frame. They’d gotten help from a Victor Rask goal early in the second period that looked as if it might stand up the rest of the way, especially when Adam Larsson scored late in the frame to give the visitors a two-goal lead.
