Seattle Kraken rally to beat Winnipeg Jets 5-3 after third-period comeback

The Seattle Kraken demonstrated championship-level resilience Thursday night at Climate Pledge Arena, erasing a third-period deficit to secure a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Despite being outplayed for significant stretches and trailing three separate times, the Kraken found another gear when it mattered most, scoring three unanswered goals in the final frame to complete a statement comeback. Captain Jordan Eberle led the charge with two crucial third-period tallies, including the game-winner, as Seattle improved to 2-0 against Winnipeg this season and pushed their record to 8-4-5.

The victory showcased everything that makes hockey’s most dramatic moments so captivating—momentum swings, physical confrontations, clutch goaltending, and a captain rising to the occasion when his team needed him most. For the Jets, who entered with 20 standings points despite recent struggles, the collapse marked their fourth loss in five games and exposed defensive fragilities that have plagued their road trip.

How the Seattle Kraken third-period comeback 5-3 win over Winnipeg Jets unfolded

The opening period established a pattern that would persist through 40 minutes: Winnipeg controlling possession and Seattle capitalizing on limited chances. The Jets struck first at 10:17 when Alex Iafallo redirected Adam Lowry’s blast from the point, rewarding Winnipeg’s early territorial dominance. Seattle’s response came via smart positioning and opportunistic finishing. At 15:15, Kaapo Kakko stationed himself at the edge of the crease and deflected Jaden Schwartz’s shot past Connor Hellebuyck, tying the contest at 1-1.

Kakko’s milestone first goal of the season represented a breakthrough moment for the Finnish winger, who had been sidelined for four weeks with a preseason injury. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound forward’s net-front presence proved exactly what the Kraken offense needed, and his celebration reflected the relief of finally getting on the scoresheet. However, the joy was short-lived as Kakko departed after just 18 seconds of his next shift with a lower-body injury and did not return.

The middle frame belonged almost entirely to Winnipeg, who outshot Seattle 13-5 and controlled zone time with extended cycling shifts. Mark Scheifele capitalized on defensive miscommunication at 3:18, catching three Kraken players in a long change and converting a breakaway to restore the Jets’ lead at 2-1. Yet again, Seattle answered adversity with timely scoring. Vince Dunn’s low wrist shot deflected past Hellebuyck at 7:27, evening the score at 2-2 despite the lopsided possession metrics.

Kyle Connor appeared to give Winnipeg control with a power-play deflection late in the second, making it 3-2 with just seconds remaining in the period. The momentum, special teams success, and dominant shot differential suggested the Jets were positioned to close out the victory. Then the Seattle Kraken third-period comeback 5-3 win over Winnipeg Jets began in earnest, rewriting the entire narrative.

The third-period surge that defined the Seattle Kraken third-period comeback 5-3 win over Winnipeg Jets

Everything changed when the teams returned for the final 20 minutes. Seattle emerged with renewed structure and intensity, immediately putting pressure on Winnipeg’s penalty kill. At 4:11, Eeli Tolvanen unleashed his dangerous one-timer on the power play, firing a shot that beat Hellebuyck to tie the game at 3-3. The goal validated coach Lane Lambert’s morning comments about the power play unit’s strong performance in their previous game, particularly Tolvanen’s Grade-A chances.

Tolvanen’s goal injected life into the Climate Pledge Arena crowd and shifted momentum decisively in Seattle’s favor. Vince Dunn, who had told Tolvanen early in their partnership, “When I pass you the puck, shoot it,” earned the assist with a perfect setup. The Finnish forward’s one-timer has become a weapon defenses must respect, and on this night it proved decisive.

The turning point arrived three minutes later, following a physical confrontation that ignited the building. Winnipeg defenseman Logan Stanley dropped Eberle along the boards and held him too long, triggering pushing and shoving involving multiple players. No penalties were assessed, but the altercation clearly fired up the Kraken captain. Lambert immediately deployed Eberle’s line with Matty Beniers and Mason Marchment for the next shift, and they delivered emphatically.

Marchment moved the puck to Beniers, who patiently surveyed the ice while spinning in the slot. Then the young center zipped a perfectly weighted shot-pass to Eberle at the back post for a redirection goal at 7:21. The capacity crowd erupted as Eberle celebrated emphatically, the decibel level reaching its highest point of the season. “He made a great, great play,” Eberle said of Beniers afterward. “Marchment made a great play to find him. [Beniers] was skating. He was physically winning battles… I love playing with him. He’s an elite player.”

Defensive resilience sealed the Seattle Kraken third-period comeback 5-3 win over Winnipeg Jets

With the lead secured, the Kraken needed to withstand Winnipeg’s push for an equalizer. Phil Grubauer delivered when it mattered, making several clutch saves during the 13-plus minutes following Eberle’s go-ahead goal. The veteran netminder’s composed performance drew praise from Lambert, who noted, “I thought [Grubauer] was dialed in. He made some really, really good saves in the third period. Good for him, good for us.”

Seattle’s commitment to shot-blocking proved equally crucial. Players sacrificed their bodies to preserve the lead, including 19-year-old Berkly Catton, who earned extra third-period ice time with Marchment sidelined for examination per the league’s concussion protocol. The young forward impressed with his maturity and willingness to play the gritty game required in tight contests.

Winnipeg’s best late chance came from Connor, whose shot sailed wide with an extra attacker on the ice. Seconds later, Beniers gained control and found Eberle for the empty-net insurance goal at 18:25, completing his two-goal performance and sealing the 5-3 final. The captain now leads the Kraken with seven goals on the season, his hot start continuing a trend that began when he returned to play alongside Beniers.

The defensive backbone Lambert emphasizes as essential to Seattle’s identity held firm when tested. The Kraken blocked shots, won crucial battles, and limited Winnipeg to just nine shots in the final period after allowing 13 in the second. This resilience, combined with opportunistic offense, represents exactly what Seattle demonstrated in their previous matchup with Winnipeg, showcasing their ability to execute different game plans against quality opponents.

What the Seattle Kraken third-period comeback 5-3 win over Winnipeg Jets means moving forward

This victory carries significance beyond two points in the standings. Coming back three separate times demonstrates mental fortitude that playoff teams must possess. The Kraken made costly mistakes in the second period—three players caught on a long change leading to Scheifele’s breakaway, and a too-many-men penalty with 14 seconds left in the frame. Lesser teams might have crumbled under the weight of those errors and a 3-2 deficit.

“We battled hard and we were playing well,” Lambert explained. “We were just shooting ourselves in the foot [with the second-period mistakes]. There was never a doubt that if we stop doing that—and we have to stop doing that and learn from these things—that we could come back in the game.” The coach’s confidence proved prescient as his players executed the adjustments and dominated the final period.

Eberle’s leadership continues to set the tone for this Kraken squad. His ability to channel frustration from the Stanley incident into productive hockey exemplifies veteran composure. “It’s a good team over there,” Eberle said of the Jets. “We’ve been kind of fighting it to put the puck in a little bit. So, I mean, to get some offense, it’s obviously massive.” His two-goal performance provided the offensive spark while reinforcing his message about team identity: “Defense is going to be the backbone of this club. That’s how we’re going to win hockey games. But you’ve got to create offense out of that… you see the puck going in, it just gives you confidence and gives guys confidence.”

Vince Dunn’s three-point night (one goal, two assists) further solidified his importance to Seattle’s success. The veteran defenseman’s ability to contribute at both ends makes him indispensable, and his offensive instincts create opportunities others might miss. His chemistry with Tolvanen on the power play provides a dangerous weapon that teams must account for.

For Winnipeg, the collapse continues a troubling pattern. The Jets won the shot battle, controlled possession, and held advantages in hits and blocked shots, yet 14 giveaways and a flat third period proved decisive. Scheifele and Connor both scored, demonstrating the offensive firepower that makes Winnipeg dangerous, but defensive lapses and special teams breakdowns cost them dearly. At 1-4-0 on their road trip, the Jets must find answers quickly or risk watching their strong start evaporate.

The Kraken’s 8-4-5 record reflects a team finding its identity and learning how to win different types of games. They’ve proven capable of defensive shutouts and high-scoring comebacks, adapting to circumstances rather than relying on a single approach. With San Jose visiting Saturday, Seattle has an opportunity to build momentum and string together victories. The third-period performance against Winnipeg—outscoring the Jets 3-0 while limiting them to nine shots—provides a template for success when games are on the line. If the Kraken can minimize self-inflicted mistakes while maintaining their defensive structure and opportunistic offense, they possess the ingredients to contend in the Pacific Division. The question now becomes consistency: can they replicate the resilience shown Thursday night on a regular basis? Based on their recent performances against Winnipeg, the early returns suggest they’re building something sustainable.