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Kraken Blank Blackhawks

Philipp Grubauer made 29 saves for Seattle's second shutout, and the expansion Kraken blanked the sliding Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 on Thursday night.

 

Alex Wennberg scored his 10th goal in the second period and Jordan Eberle added his 18th late in the third to seal it.

 

Grubauer was only lightly tested by the Blackhawks, who dropped their sixth straight game (0-4-2) and occasionally were booed by their home crowd. Grubauer, who posted his 20th career shutout, also was in net for the Kraken's first shutout on Feb. 2 against the Islanders in New York.

 

Grubauer stopped a prime chance by Patrick Kane in the opening minutes, then the Kraken went on to control play and outshoot Chicago 17-3 in the first period.

 

At the end of the second, the Kraken allowed only one shot during a Blackhawks power play that lasted 3:56 and included a 5-on-3 advantage for 1:56.

 

Chicago goalie Kevin Lankinen stopped 29 shots.

 

During a video tribute in the first period, the Blackhawks announced they will retire Hall of Fame forward Marian Hossa's jersey No. 81 next season. The 43-year-old Hossa signed a one-day contract with Chicago and officially retired as a member of the team in a pregame ceremony.

 

Hossa played the final eight seasons of his 19-year career with the Blackhawks and was a key contributor in Chicago's Stanley Cup runs in 2010, 2013 and 2015.

 

He stopped playing after the 2016-17 season at age 38 because of a severe case of eczema that caused lesions all over his skin. The condition was linked to sweat and bacteria from hockey equipment.

 

Hossa finished with 525 goals and 609 assists in 1,309 NHL games. He now lives in his native Slovakia.

 

The Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars on Sunday.

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