Back-to-back blues: Kraken shut out again

The Seattle Kraken's four-game win streak came to a halt with a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers, a team widely considered among the NHL’s elite. While the scoreboard reflected a tough night, the game offered moments of encouragement amidst some lingering concerns.

A game of inches

Shutout losses are never easy to stomach, but this game was far from an outright disappointment. For nearly two full periods, the Kraken hung with the Rangers, keeping the game locked at 0-0 thanks to disciplined defense and strong goaltending from Philipp Grubauer.

However, two moments changed the game. A defensive lapse late in the second period gave the Rangers the lead. Early in the third, Grubauer allowed a soft goal to slip through his pads, putting the Kraken in a two-goal hole. While Grubauer made some key saves to keep Seattle in the game, that second goal was one he simply needed to stop, especially in such a close matchup.

One bright spot? Seattle played a full 60 minutes without giving the Rangers a single power-play opportunity. The Kraken's discipline and structured play were on full display against a playoff-caliber opponent.

Offensive struggles continue

While the defense held its ground, the offense left much to be desired. Being shut out for the fourth time in fewer than 20 games this season raises questions about Seattle’s ability to generate consistent scoring.

Grubauer’s performance (21 saves on 23 shots) was one of his better outings of the season, but his record now sits at 1-6-0. The lack of goal support continues to haunt him, as three of his strongest starts have come in games where the Kraken failed to score.

The team’s struggles in the second half of back-to-back games were also apparent. Seattle has been shut out in all three second-half games this season, a reflection of the physical and mental toll these matchups take.

A notable lineup change

One of the biggest pregame storylines was Shane Wright being a healthy scratch, replaced by Ben Meyers. Meyers’ line responded with flashes of effective play, but the third line ultimately saw the least amount of minutes of any forward group. This is likely due to a lack of cohesion, as Meyers was freshly called up and Daniel Sprong is still finding his rhythm after joining the Kraken from Vancouver.

While the move didn’t result in immediate offensive production, it could signal a shift in how head coach Dan Bylsma approaches lineup decisions, particularly with younger players like Wright. The team’s priority remains Wright’s long-term development, but this scratch might serve as a wake-up call, encouraging him to elevate his game and find more consistency.

Finding resilience

The Rangers are a tough opponent, and while the loss was disappointing, it wasn’t as bitter as some previous shutouts. The Kraken created chances, stayed disciplined, and were ultimately undone by a few critical mistakes and a stellar performance from Jonathan Quick.

Seattle’s recent four-game win streak did much to steady the ship after a rocky start to the season, but this loss reinforces the need for consistency, especially on offense. The Kraken will look to rebound on Wednesday against the Nashville Predators as they close out their homestand.

The challenge now is for Seattle to show the same resilience and fight that defined their recent successes. If the Kraken can find a way to turn close calls into goals, they’ll be well-positioned to keep climbing the standings.