Colorado won because Wedgewood conceded 2 goals below league average on 22 shots while Colorado's 58.9% faceoff dominance strangled Seattle's ability to generate sustained offensive pressure.
β‘TURNING POINT
Kelly's 5v5 goal at 12:19 of the third eliminated any scenario in which Seattle could force overtime with a single strike, converting a one-goal squeeze into a two-possession deficit. With Seattle's offence already held to 22 shots through 52 minutes, the mathematical door closed completely.
πWHY COL WON (ranked by impact β most decisive first)
1
Goaltending: Wedgewood conceded 0 goals on 22 shots, 2.0 below league-average expectation β in a 2-goal game, that margin was the game.
2
Faceoff dominance: COL won 33 of 56 draws (58.9%) β that possession advantage at every neutral-zone reset compressed Seattle's zone entries and suppressed shot generation across 60 minutes.
3
Shot volume: COL generated 35 shots against Seattle's 22 β a 13-shot differential that reflects sustained offensive zone time and denied Seattle any momentum window to build pressure.
πWHY SEA LOST (ranked by impact β biggest failure first)
1
Offensive structure: 22 shots on 35 against β Seattle never solved Colorado's defensive structure at 5v5, producing nothing across 60 minutes.
2
Puck management: 17 giveaways against Colorado's 12 β Seattle repeatedly surrendered possession in positions that reset Colorado's territorial advantage.
3
Special teams: 0-for-3 on the power play β with zero even-strength goals, Seattle's failure to convert any man-advantage opportunity eliminated their only realistic path to a lead.
Three Stars
Scott Wedgewood1st
COL, G
SV% 1.00022 shots faced
A shutout on 22 shots denied Seattle any foothold and preserved both Colorado goals as match-winners.
Parker Kelly2nd
COL, C
1G3 shots on goal+2TOI 13:37
His third-period goal delivered the two-goal cushion that sealed the result on a night when every goal carried outsized weight.
Nick Blankenburg3rd
COL, D
1G3 shots on goal+1TOI 15:24
The opening goal from a defenceman forced Seattle to chase the game and shaped every subsequent tactical decision.
