In a sharp contrast to last season, the Seattle Kraken are proving they have what it takes to fight back from deficits. Through the first 16 games of the 2024-25 season, the Kraken have overcome a 2-goal deficit on three separate occasions—something they couldn’t achieve even once in their previous 82-game campaign. This remarkable shift in resilience may just be what fans and players alike have been hoping for, and it speaks volumes about the team's revamped mindset and structure under new head coach Dan Bylsma.
Last season, it became a frustrating pattern: as soon as the Kraken went down by a couple of goals, all hope seemed to fade, and it was rare to see the team rally. However, this season is a different story. Already, Seattle has staged comebacks against the Minnesota Wild, the Vegas Golden Knights, and the Columbus Blue Jackets, fighting their way to critical victories. Even in a tough matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, the Kraken managed to erase a 3-1 deficit, pushing the game to overtime and picking up a valuable point.
The Kraken never came back from a 2-goal deficit to win last season.
— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) November 13, 2024
Through only 16 games this season, they've done it 3 times.
What’s changed for Seattle?
The biggest difference? The Kraken’s new leadership and a strategic shift in the way they approach adversity. Bylsma has brought his experience from Coachella Valley, where he cultivated a reputation for engineering comebacks. His emphasis on making tactical adjustments between periods is now resonating with Kraken players, who are showing marked improvements in the second and third periods, even after a shaky start.
Through the first 16 games of the season, the Kraken have struggled most defensively in the first period, allowing 21 of their 50 goals against. By contrast, they’re far more resilient in the later stages, conceding only 13 goals in the third period (including four empty-net goals). Offensively, the Kraken also score more as the game progresses, suggesting a rise in confidence and efficiency as they settle into each game’s rhythm.
This transformation in resilience can partly be credited to the new faces on the roster, along with a familiar core of players that is continually evolving. With key players like Vince Dunn currently sidelined, the Kraken have had to adjust defensive pairings and overall strategies, working through these growing pains to find consistency.
Turning resilience into dominance
While the Kraken’s newfound resilience is commendable, Bylsma and his squad know that the real challenge lies in maintaining a consistent, full 60-minute effort. If Seattle can tighten up their early-game play, particularly on defense, they can avoid the need for such comebacks. The current combination of gritty determination and a growing offensive threat is promising, but closing out games with a stronger first-period showing could elevate Seattle from comeback kings to consistent contenders.
For the fans, watching the Kraken rally when down is a welcome change, bringing back memories of their scrappy, determined play that kept them competitive in tough playoff matchups against stronger rosters like Colorado and Dallas. With Bylsma at the helm and a team willing to fight through challenges, the Kraken are positioned to continue building a resilient core that doesn’t just battle back, but soon, might start leading from the front.