The Seattle Kraken have come out swinging to start the 2026-27 National Hockey League (NHL) season. They are currently on a five-game road trip and about to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning for their second-to-last game before heading back to Climate Pledge Arena. Seattle has already won their first three games to start the road trip, and they will want to keep the momentum rolling against the Lightning.
Kraken youth continuing to find success
The Kraken's youth has been finding their way into the lineup, and for good reason. Berkly Catton has been a bright spot for Seattle's forwards throughout the early start of the season. Just his second full-time season in the NHL, Catton has solidified himself as a member of the Kraken's roster.
In terms of defense, Ville Ottavinen has been great for the Kraken's blue line. He played in his first NHL game in Seattle's final game of the 2025-26 season on April 15. Ottavinen made his season debut in the Kraken's home opener on Oct. 4, and although he was benched for their game against the Vegas Golden Knights, Ottavinen has played in every game on the road trip so far.
In Ottavinen's first two games of the season, he recorded a plus-2 in each, putting him at a plus-4 to start the season. Against the Philadelphia Flyers, Ottavinen scored his first NHL goal, a great moment for the young defenseman in just his fifth NHL game. Ottavinen is not only finding success on the blue line but also getting in an offensive touch.
Kraken took early lead, but couldn't escape extra hockey
The Kraken came out strong against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday, Oct. 13. A power-play goal from Bobby McMann kicked off Seattle's scoring in the first period, followed by Ottavinen's goal in the second period.
However, the Flyers snuck up on them in the third period, tying the game with two goals just 1:13 apart. The Kraken kept the defense up in the later half of the final frame, forcing the game into overtime. During the 3-on-3, the Kraken even had an extra man on the ice after the Flyers took a penalty for too many men on the ice. Despite this advantage, neither team scored, forcing the game to go into a shootout. The Kraken pulled out the win, thanks to Matty Beniers and McMann's goals.
The Kraken have had a great start to the season, but they cannot be allowing these late collapses to get the best of them. They managed to right the ship against the Flyers on Tuesday, keeping Philadelphia winless.
If this happens to be the case again against the Lightning, the Kraken can't afford to let Tampa Bay get the best of them. Seattle needs to hold strong, and if they get the lead in this game, they need to make sure they hold onto it.
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