Kraken can't find consistency against Ducks and Sharks

When I broke down the Kraken's matchups at the start of the week, I was full of optimism. Coming off a defensive hot streak—six consecutive games allowing two or fewer goals—the team seemed ready to continue building on their solid defensive identity while finally igniting their lagging offense. With matchups against the Ducks and Sharks, it seemed like the perfect chance to solidify their approach at both ends of the ice. However, the results didn't align with expectations, as inconsistency crept in and ultimately derailed what should have been a momentum-building stretch.

A split against Anaheim

The first game against the Ducks was a hard-fought victory that saw the Kraken grind out a result despite their offensive inconsistencies. The defense held firm, continuing the impressive streak of limiting opponents’ scoring chances. However, in the rematch back in Seattle, the Kraken stumbled. A disastrous second period derailed the game as Anaheim’s John Gibson stole the show, stopping an incredible 42 shots and frustrating Seattle’s attackers.

While Joey Daccord didn’t have his sharpest outing, it was far from a catastrophe. It was one of those games where nothing seemed to go right for the skaters in front of him. A lack of composure in key defensive moments led to the unraveling.

Defensive meltdown in San Jose

The trip to San Jose saw an entirely different Kraken team—but not in a good way. The offense came alive early, highlighted by a first-period power-play goal that ended a frustrating 22-chance drought. With five lead changes throughout the game, the Kraken showed glimpses of resilience and offensive creativity. However, their defense and goaltending crumbled under pressure.

Philipp Grubauer had a night to forget, allowing seven goals—all at even strength. While some credit goes to the Sharks for opportunistic finishing, too many of the goals were preventable. It’s the kind of performance that rattles confidence in a goaltender. Unlike Daccord, whose poise in high-pressure situations often inspires trust, Grubauer’s struggles left fans holding their breath every time the puck entered the Kraken zone.

A tough reality check

Splitting the series with the Ducks was disappointing but manageable. Watching the Sharks—a young, rebuilding team—outplay the Kraken so decisively was a wake-up call. Losses to top-tier opponents are easier to accept, but struggles against comparable teams point to deeper issues.

As the Kraken prepare to host the Sharks for a rematch, fans will be eager to see Daccord back in net and hope for continued offensive momentum. Cleaning up defensive lapses and finding consistency between the pipes will be crucial as Seattle looks to bounce back from a frustrating road trip.

This stretch highlighted both the Kraken’s potential and their glaring weaknesses. With a few adjustments, they have the pieces to turn things around, but these two games showed that the margin for error remains razor-thin.