Newhook scores twice as Canadiens beat fading Kraken 5-1 for eighth straight Seattle loss

Montreal's first two shots on Sunday night in Seattle both ended up in the net, and the Kraken never recovered. The Canadiens beat Seattle 5-1, sending the Kraken to their eighth straight loss and ending a four-game losing streak of their own.

Alex Newhook scored twice for Montreal, and defenceman Kaiden Guhle had a goal and two assists, a career-high three points. Nick Suzuki and Mike Matheson also scored. Goaltender Cayden Primeau stopped 36 shots.

The opening came about four minutes in, when a long shot from Guhle got through traffic in front of the net. Just over two minutes later, another Guhle shot was deflected in by Newhook. Late in the first period came a second quick pair. With 2:27 left, Suzuki led a two-on-one break and lifted the puck over Philipp Grubauer's right shoulder. Twenty-seven seconds after that, Newhook made it 4-0, and Grubauer was done for the night. He had allowed four goals on six shots. Joey Daccord replaced him and made 10 saves.

Seattle got on the board in the first minute of the second period, when Jordan Eberle scored his 16th goal of the season from the right circle. About five minutes later, the Kraken thought they had another, on a power play, but a challenge showed they were offside and the goal was wiped out. Matheson then scored short-handed with about seven minutes left in the period to make it 5-1. Newhook nearly had his first career hat trick midway through the second, but his shot hit the post.

The score hid how the game was played. Seattle outshot Montreal 37-17, while the Canadiens matched their season high in goals. Guhle said his team felt a little snake bit lately, believing it had played better in games it lost. This time, he said, tips and rollers went in. "I'll take that," he said. Primeau said it was good to be leading instead of chasing. Newhook said the post stung more than most, but he would perhaps find a hat trick another night.

For Seattle, the loss tied its longest skid of the season. In six of the eight losses, the Kraken were either shut out or held to one goal. Coach Dave Hakstol was blunt afterward. He said the game must be played with passion, heart and for the player next to you, and that the team is not doing that right now. He called it more than disappointing and said it will change. He added that it is hard to watch the team fall off given what is still on the line, and that the jersey means a lot but is not being honoured on the ice.

There was also an injury: Seattle defenceman Ryker Evans left in the first period with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Both teams play again Tuesday. Montreal visits the Colorado Avalanche, and Seattle hosts Anaheim, with the Kraken looking to stop the slide.