RECAP: ‘Hawks, Kraken look to continue winning ways

SEATTLE – Both the Seahawks and the Kraken have won three of their last four games. Read along for updates on both teams’ performances over the past week of their regular seasons.

Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks just keep on winning.

Projected by many to be among the NFL’s bottom-tier teams in the 2022 season, Seattle notched yet another win in a 27-13 defeat of the New York Giants on Sunday, giving New York just its second loss of the season.

In what was a back-and-forth game through 45 minutes – Seattle only held a three-point lead entering the fourth quarter – the Seahawks showed their strength by scoring 17 points in the final 15 minutes on Sunday, highlighted with a 33-yard catch by receiver Tyler Lockett followed by a 16-yard run by running back Kenneth Walker III.

The Seahawk defense has now held teams to under 100 rushing yards in back-to-back weeks, first against the Chargers last week (53) and now the run-heavy Giants’ offense on Sunday (78). While the performance against Los Angeles can be written off as going up against a pass-happy attack – LA quarterback Justin Herbert threw the ball 51 times against the Seahawks – the Giants are No. 4 in the NFL in rushing yards per game (161.5) and running back Saquon Barkley is second in the league in rush yards (779).

New York’s 225 total yards, 78 rush yards and 13 points against the Seattle defense were all-season lows. In the previous three weeks, the Seahawks have held opponents to 91.7 rush yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry, both the sixth-fewest in the NFL over that span.

Seattle tight end Will Dissly was named the NFC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in the punt game against New York, where he both forced and later recovered a fumble on punt returns.

Wide receiver Laquon Treadwell was signed to the Seattle practice squad on Tuesday, with receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside being released from the practice squad to make room for Treadwell. Treadwell is a 2016 first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings and Arcega-Whiteside was acquired in a trade this offseason.

Seattle waived cornerback Sidney Jones IV on Tuesday, a starter from a year ago who had seen his on-field role decrease with the emergence of fellow corners Tariq Woolen and Mike Jackson.

Next up for Seattle is a road trip to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday. The Seahawks already beat their division rival earlier this season, a 19-9 home win on Oct. 16. Seattle forced two turnovers and held the Cardinals to three offensive points in the win.

Kraken

Winners of three of their last four games, the Seattle Kraken sit at 5-4-2 through the first 11 games of the 2022-2023 NHL season.

Seattle began the past week with yet another high-scoring loss, this time a 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. It was the third game this season where the Kraken and an opponent have combined for nine goals up to that point, all of which had ended in losses. The Kraken led Vancouver 2-1 at the end of the first with goals by Jamie Oleksiak and Jared McCann but were outscored 2-1 in both the second and third periods.

The Kraken got back on track with a 3-1 home win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring three-consecutive goals in the second and third periods. Jordan Eberle, Morgan Geekie and Jaden Schwartz all found the back of the net in the win.

Against Calgary on Tuesday, Seattle won its first 5-4 game of the season in its win over the Flames. Down 4-2 in the third period, Daniel Strong, Yanni Gourde and Matty Beniers all scored to take the lead and give the Kraken their fifth win of the young season.

Through 11 games the Kraken are tied for fourth place in the NHL’s Western Conference with the Los Angeles Kings, as both teams have earned 12 points so far this season. Despite a 2-3-1 record at home, Seattle is 3-1-1 on the road. Schwartz leads the team in points (10) and goals (5) while Eberle leads in assists (7).

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.