Quick lit up, second-period meltdown, and more: 3 reasons why New York Rangers lost 7-5 to Seattle Kraken

The New York Rangers lost a wild 7-5 game to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday afternoon. The Rangers held a 3-1 lead five minutes into the second period. But the Kraken turned up the heat, eventually building a 6-3 lead midway through the third.

The Rangers pressured down the stretch, pulling to within 6-5. However, Yanni Gourde added an empty-netter to seal the win for the Kraken. Oliver Bjorkstrand ended the game with four points (2G, 2A) with Eeli Tolvanen adding three points (1G, 2A) and Shane Wright notching a goal and an assist.

Meanwhile, Artemi Panarin, Adam Fox, K’Andre Miller and Vincent Trocheck had two points apiece for the Rangers.

So, let’s take a look at the three main reasons why the New York Rangers lost to the Seattle Kraken on Sunday afternoon.

3 reasons why New York Rangers lost to Seattle Kraken

#3 The Rangers allowed the Kraken to get back into the game

The New York Rangers outshot the Kraken 37-22. They won nearly 63% of the draws and had fewer giveaways in the game. However, the Kraken made the most of their opportunities, landing seven goals on their 22 shots.

In particular, Seattle scored twice in about a minute and a half in the second period, taking the lead and extending it late in the middle frame. That situation carried over into the third period, in which the Kraken opened a minute into the third.

While the Rangers turned it on late in the game, they ran out of time and could not complete the comeback.

#2 Second-period meltdown

The Rangers seemed on cruise control early in the second after building a 3-1 lead. The Kraken weren’t able to get much going until the Rangers seemingly fell apart in the latter half of the second period. The meltdown carried over into the third period before the New York Rangers seemingly turned things around.

Except for the 12-minute meltdown, the Rangers played a strong game. Nevertheless, the mental collapse cost them two points on Sunday afternoon.

#1 Jonathan Quick lit up

With newly extended Igor Shesterkin out as his wife went into labor, Jonathan Quick got the call. Quick proceeded to give up six goals on 21 shots, including a power play marker.

Quick has been mostly reliable this season, notching a shutout in his last appearance against the Kraken on Nov. 17. However, Sunday afternoon’s outing was the second time in three games that the veteran netminder has given up six goals. Quick last surrendered a half-dozen tallies against the Edmonton Oilers on Nov. 23.

The Rangers will have little time to regroup as they face the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday night at home.