Connor McMichael found the net on a solo break with 8 minutes and 24 seconds remaining in the game, boosting the Washington Capitals’ push for a playoff position as they edged past the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Thursday evening.
In his 999th NHL game, T.J. Oshie also contributed a goal for the Capitals. Washington, now tallying 71 points, trails the New York Islanders and Detroit by just one point for the East’s second wild-card slot, both of whom suffered defeats on Thursday, maintaining their positions with 72 points.
The Capitals’ goalkeeper, Charlie Lindgren, made 23 saves during the game.
Oliver Bjorkstrand netted the lone goal for the Kraken, who stand at 68 points, remaining nine points adrift of Vegas for the West’s second wild-card position.
With the game locked at 1-1, Bjorkstrand’s error in his team’s territory allowed McMichael to capitalize, taking the puck down the right wing before scoring with a backhander into the opposite corner, marking his 14th goal of the season.
Oshie, hailing from nearby Everett, seized an opportunity to put Washington ahead 1-0 at 14:20 of the second period.
During a Seattle penalty kill, a clearance attempt by Daccord inadvertently struck Oshie, positioned low in the slot on the right side. The deflected puck rolled toward the net, evading Daccord’s outstretched stick, and Oshie rushed to guide it over the goal line.
Daccord concluded the game with 21 saves.
Bjorkstrand drew the Kraken level at 1-1 with a power-play goal at 3:32 of the third period.