Coming into the season, the Seattle Kraken knew they would have to rely on goaltender Joey Daccord and generate offensive production throughout the lineup to be successful.

That’s precisely what happened on opening night.

Daccord made 35 saves, and eight players each contributed a point as the Kraken defeated the visiting Anaheim Ducks 3-1, securing their first opening-night win in their five-year franchise history.

The Kraken will try to make it two in a row when they play host to the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday.

Vince Dunn, Mason Marchment and Jared McCann scored for Seattle in the first game under new coach Lane Lambert. Dunn scored 2:21 into the contest, and though the Ducks tied it less than two minutes later, the Kraken never trailed.

“Obviously, the goal early on was nice to have, but we knew we needed to get a little bit more on offense,” Lambert said. “And I think as the game went on, we did.”

Daccord was at his best in the first period, keeping the score tied at 1-all despite Seattle being outshot 17-5.

“I think we played well, even though, I mean, the shot counter was a little lopsided at first,” Daccord said. “But I thought we played well. I thought we just found a way to battle through it as a group, and then eventually, as we started to get our legs there in the second period and then eventually dominate the third was great to see from my end.”

The Golden Knights have already played twice. They lost 6-5 in a shootout against visiting Los Angeles in their opener Wednesday, then triumphed 4-3 in overtime Thursday at San Jose on Reilly Smith’s goal 1:24 into the extra session.

Smith scored on an open net after San Jose’s Alex Nedeljkovic came out to the blue line to make a pass that was blocked. The puck then went to Vegas’ Shea Theodore, who passed it to Smith for the game-winning goal.

“I’d like to score in different ways, but right now in the season, just take it,” Smith said of the gimme. “I’m just glad I could help the team win.”

Jack Eichel had a goal and an assist for the Golden Knights, scoring on a dump-in from center ice as the puck bounced awkwardly past Nedeljkovic.

“Well, we were certainly fortunate. The ironic thing is, we played that goalie twice in preseason. He’s played great against us, handled the puck well,” said Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy. “A little bit of October hockey, I guess. The hockey gods went our way. I actually feel bad for him. He played well in there.”

Defenseman Noah Hanifin didn’t travel with the Golden Knights because of an undisclosed injury and his status for Saturday’s game is uncertain.

–Field Level Media