Seattle Kraken 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh Penguins 2025: Complete game recap and analysis

How Brandon Montour sealed the Seattle Kraken 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh Penguins 2025

Brandon Montour’s overtime winner came at the 4:10 mark of the extra period, a perfectly placed wrist shot from above the left face-off circle that beat Penguins goaltender Sergei Murashov cleanly. The goal capped off a game where Montour logged significant ice time against Pittsburgh’s top forwards, making his offensive contribution all the more satisfying.

Montour’s perspective on the goal reflected the team’s growing confidence. Speaking about the opportunity, he noted the rarity of facing legends like Crosby and Malkin. “They’re obviously one of the best, if not the best players, to play the game,” Montour said. “Any time you’re on the ice with those guys, you’ve got to watch them. It’s also great to play against those guys whenever you get a chance. You want to play that much harder, you know, against those guys.”

The Kraken’s preparation for these moments has become evident throughout their recent hot streak. Coach Lane Lambert emphasized the team’s third-period performance as a blueprint for future success. “I think we can build on our third period,” Lambert said. “When we got down, I thought we started to make more plays and create more stuff offensively. I think we have to do that. We have to do that right from the get-go.”

Washington’s defensive structure in overtime nearly broke earlier when Kris Letang rang a shot off the crossbar just 55 seconds into the extra frame. That close call served as a wake-up call for Seattle, who tightened their coverage and capitalized on their own opportunity moments later. The Kraken’s ability to withstand that scare and immediately transition to offense showcases the mental toughness they’ve developed this season.

Key moments that defined the Seattle Kraken 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh Penguins 2025

The game’s opening tally set the tone for what would become a back-and-forth affair. Mason Marchment intercepted a turnover by Penguins rookie Ben Kindel just 1:24 into the second period, wiring a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot that beat Murashov to the blocker side. The goal held special significance for Marchment, ending an 18-game goal drought dating back to the season opener on October 9. “No pressure,” Marchment said afterward. “I’ve been through this before. Just keep playing. As long as the chances are coming and I’m working hard, that’s all I really care about.”

Pittsburgh’s response came through their captain, as Sidney Crosby tallied his team-leading 13th goal at 16:16 of the second period. The play began with Connor Dewar intercepting Philipp Grubauer’s clearing attempt along the wall, feeding Crosby in the slot for a classic one-timer. The milestone marker gave Crosby his 500th career multipoint game, making him the sixth player in NHL history to reach that plateau, joining Wayne Gretzky (824), Jaromir Jagr (540), Marcel Dionne (513), Mark Messier (513) and Gordie Howe (511).

Evgeni Malkin appeared to give Pittsburgh the victory when he converted on the power play at 5:56 of the third period. The veteran center chipped a loose puck out of a crease scramble for his third goal in four games, putting the Penguins ahead 2-1. The goal improved Pittsburgh’s impressive record when both Crosby and Malkin find the scoresheet to 11-6-5, a statistic that seemed to portend victory.

However, Matty Beniers had other plans. The young Kraken center tied the game at 12:36 with a perfectly placed wrist shot from the right circle that beat Murashov under the crossbar. The goal, assisted by Marchment, not only salvaged a point for Seattle but also gave Marchment his 200th career point (78 goals, 122 assists) in the NHL.

Sidney Crosby’s historic milestone in the Seattle Kraken 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh Penguins 2025

Reaching 500 multipoint games represents yet another entry in Crosby’s already legendary resume. At 1,373 games played, he became the third-fastest player in NHL history to achieve the feat, trailing only Wayne Gretzky (738 games) and Marcel Dionne (1,262 games). The milestone underscores Crosby’s remarkable consistency and durability throughout his 20-season career.

Crosby’s understated reaction to the achievement reflected his team-first mentality. “I thought we carried the play,” he said. “I mean, gave ourselves chances. Unfortunately, it didn’t go. That’s how it goes sometimes.” The captain’s focus remained squarely on the team’s performance rather than individual accolades, highlighting the leadership that has defined his tenure in Pittsburgh.

The milestone carried additional weight as Crosby now sits just two goals away from tying Dave Andreychuk for 15th place on the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring list. With 13 goals in just 21 games this season, the 38-year-old center continues to produce at an elite level, defying conventional aging curves for NHL forwards.

The Penguins’ inability to secure a victory despite Crosby and Malkin both scoring exemplified their recent struggles. While the team’s process showed improvement from their 5-0 drubbing against Minnesota the previous night, the result remained the same. Coach Dan Muse struck a pragmatic tone in his postgame assessment. “Our game was better, but we just came out of this weekend here with one out of four points,” Muse said. “That’s not good enough. And so, was our process better? It was. But we need to get points.”

Player performances and statistics from Seattle Kraken 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh Penguins 2025

Philipp Grubauer’s performance between the pipes proved crucial for Seattle’s success. The veteran goaltender turned aside 30 of 32 shots, including several high-danger opportunities during Pittsburgh’s push in the third period. His ability to bounce back after the turnover that led to Crosby’s goal showcased his mental resilience. Grubauer’s continued strong play has been instrumental in Seattle’s 8-3-3 record over their last 14 games.

At the other end, Sergei Murashov made 18 saves for Pittsburgh in a solid if unspectacular performance. While he couldn’t stop Montour’s perfectly placed overtime shot, Murashov gave his team every opportunity to win. His postgame comments reflected the Penguins’ focus on process over results during their difficult stretch. “Just everyone wants to be (the) best version of himself,” Murashov said. “It’s becoming more routine and we just need to remind ourselves what we’re doing, why we’re doing these things. Just keep doing (the) right things.”

Marchment’s two-point night represented a breakthrough performance after his prolonged scoring drought. His goal and assist demonstrated the type of secondary scoring Seattle needs to complement their top-line talent. The milestone 200th point adds to a career that has seen him evolve from a depth player into a reliable middle-six contributor.

Ryker Evans quietly contributed two assists for the Kraken, showcasing the defensive depth that has become Seattle’s calling card. His ability to jump into the play and create offense from the blue line gives the Kraken multiple dimensions in their attack.

For Pittsburgh, Blake Lizotte played his 400th NHL game, registering three shots on goal in 12:36 of ice time. While not a headline-grabbing performance, the milestone represents the journeyman forward’s perseverance in carving out a legitimate NHL career.

What the Seattle Kraken 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh Penguins 2025 means for both teams

Seattle’s victory solidified their position among the Western Conference elite, improving their record to 11-5-5. The win marked their fourth third-period comeback victory of the season, a trait that ranks second in the NHL behind only the Philadelphia Flyers. This resilience will serve them well as they close out a challenging four-game road trip against the New York Islanders and prepare for the postseason push.

The Kraken’s ability to win different types of games demonstrates their evolution from an expansion curiosity to a legitimate contender. Their penalty kill successfully limited Pittsburgh’s opportunities, while their structured defensive system frustrated the Penguins’ high-powered attack for long stretches. With points in 11 of their last 14 games, Seattle has established the consistency necessary for playoff success.

For Pittsburgh, the loss extended concerning trends that have seen them drop five of six games and slip to 10-6-5 on the season. After a promising 8-2-2 start, the Penguins have managed just two wins in their last nine contests, raising questions about their ability to maintain pace in the competitive Metropolitan Division.

Coach Muse’s postgame frustration highlighted the gap between process and results that currently plagues the Penguins. While the team generated quality chances and controlled stretches of play, their inability to close out games has become a pattern. The power play’s conversion rate remains a bright spot, but five-on-five scoring has dried up beyond the top line.

The outcome also emphasized the Penguins’ need for improved depth scoring. While Crosby and Malkin combined for two goals and an assist, secondary contributions remain scarce. Until Pittsburgh receives more consistent production from their bottom-six forwards and defense corps, they risk becoming overly reliant on their aging superstars.

Looking ahead after Seattle Kraken 3-2 overtime win over Pittsburgh Penguins 2025

The Kraken’s immediate focus shifts to completing their road trip on a high note against the New York Islanders, where they’ll look to extend their points streak and build momentum before returning to Climate Pledge Arena. Their balanced scoring, strong goaltending, and systematic approach under Lane Lambert have created a sustainable model for success that should keep them competitive throughout the season.

For Pittsburgh, the schedule offers no respite as they prepare to host Buffalo on Wednesday night. The Sabres represent another Eastern Conference opponent fighting for playoff positioning, making the game a crucial four-point swing. The Penguins must quickly address their late-game defensive lapses and find ways to convert territorial advantages into tangible results.

The weekend’s results serve as a microcosm of each team’s trajectory. Seattle continues ascending behind their methodical, team-oriented approach, while Pittsburgh grapples with the challenge of maximizing their remaining championship window. As the season progresses, the Kraken’s victory may prove indicative of a changing of the guard in the NHL hierarchy.

Crosby’s milestone, while bittersweet, reminds us that we’re witnessing history every time he takes the ice. As he chases down Andreychuk and contemplates the final chapters of his career, each game carries added significance. The Penguins’ ability to honor his greatness with team success will define their season.

The NHL’s competitive balance ensures that no victory comes easily, and Seattle’s hard-fought win in Pittsburgh exemplifies the parity that makes the league compelling. As both teams move forward, the lessons learned from this dramatic overtime contest will shape their approaches to the challenges that await.