A Milestone to Forget: Kraken Set Franchise Record for Shutout Games

The Seattle Kraken have carved out an unwanted slice of franchise history, marking a dubious milestone with back-to-back shutouts. For the first time in their four-year existence, the Kraken failed to find the net in consecutive games, and were a single goal away from three straight scoreless outings. Credit to Eeli Tolvanen for sparing the team that third shutout — a cold comfort in what’s been an increasingly frustrating stretch for fans and players alike.

This dry spell feels particularly painful given the recent flashes of offensive power, such as the eight-goal outburst against Montreal. But since then, it’s been a struggle to generate quality scoring chances, with Seattle unable to produce a goal in eight of the last nine periods. Fans expected some ups and downs, but six scoreless periods in such a short span has exposed a glaring weakness in Seattle’s roster: the absence of a pure goal-scorer, someone who can be counted on to create and convert opportunities even in the face of tight defenses and tough breaks.

Searching for a Pure Scorer

As it stands, the Kraken are built on a committee approach to scoring, with contributors up and down the lineup. The problem with that approach is that it lacks a “go-to” player, someone who can single-handedly tilt the momentum. Instead, the Kraken’s offensive scheme feels precariously dependent on perfect execution. For Seattle to score, each pass must connect flawlessly, every player has to be in just the right spot, and even then, a lucky bounce wouldn’t hurt. When those intricate setups fail, the Kraken are often left relying on long-range shots from the blue line — shots that rarely pose a serious threat to NHL goalies.

Building a team without a bona fide scorer has allowed Seattle to spread the load, but it’s also led to dry spells like this one. The hope was that Matty Beniers, a Calder Trophy winner, might evolve into that reliable scoring threat, but it’s becoming clear that while he’s an immensely talented player, he may not be that elite finisher the Kraken need. This isn’t to say the Kraken need to overhaul the roster, but they do need a player with a sharp offensive focus, someone who can shoulder the pressure and deliver on a regular basis.

Dan Bylsma’s System Needs to Produce

The challenge now falls squarely on head coach Dan Bylsma, who took the helm this season after a successful stint with Seattle’s AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley. Known for an aggressive, offense-first approach that helped lead Coachella Valley to the league’s highest goal total last year, Bylsma was brought in to spark the Kraken’s scoring and instill a system that prioritizes high-danger chances over volume shots. While he’s demonstrated success with this strategy in the AHL, the transition to the NHL level hasn’t yet paid off in terms of consistent offensive output.

Bylsma has a history of elevating offensive play, and if he can implement a similar structure in Seattle, the Kraken could start to see real gains. The Kraken are capable of being a more aggressive, high-scoring team — they just need the system to click, and for players to buy in fully.

Young Talent Waiting in the Wings

The Kraken do have a handful of promising young forwards who could provide offensive firepower in the future. Former top pick Shane Wright has the potential to develop into a high-impact player, as does Eeli Tolvanen, who showed his scoring chops last season, netting eight goals in his first 15 games with Seattle after coming over from Nashville.

Beyond them, prospects like Berkly Catton, Carson Rehkopf, and Jagger Firkus each show scoring potential. But as exciting as these players are, they’re likely still at least a year or two from making an impact in the NHL. For the Kraken to wait that long, however, might mean missing out on the chance to build on the success and momentum they started to generate last season.

Finding Solutions Before It’s Too Late

The Kraken have the tools to be competitive, but they’re clearly missing that last piece — a true offensive catalyst. A single high-level scorer could turn close games into wins and prevent stretches like this one, where the Kraken’s only offense seems to come in sporadic bursts. It’s not a call for panic, but rather a wake-up call that the current setup may need some retooling.

If the Kraken want to move beyond middling performances and push for a playoff spot, they’ll need to identify and address this offensive shortcoming. Whether through internal development, a system change, or a key acquisition, the Kraken need to find a way to make scoring feel less like an improbable feat. Until then, fans will be holding their breath, hoping that these back-to-back shutouts are just a blip on the radar — and not a sign of things to come.