The Kraken’s homestand has been a rollercoaster. After a hard-fought shootout loss to the defending champion Florida Panthers, they dominated the Boston Bruins in a 5-1 victory only to suffer the same fate against the Tampa Bay Lightning in their most recent outing. Now, Seattle has an opportunity to close out the stretch on a high note against the Senators.
This game presents a chance for redemption. Ottawa handed Seattle a 3-0 shutout earlier in the season, part of a tough stretch where the Kraken struggled to score. With improved offensive production from the third line, now is the time for the top-six forwards to step up. Matty Beniers, who has six assists this month but hasn’t scored in 15 games, and Jared McCann, who has cooled significantly after a hot start to the season, are players to watch. Reigniting their scoring touch will be key to securing a win before the road trip.
Starting the road trip right
The Kraken’s first stop on the road is a rematch with the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks have continued to struggle, winning only four games since these teams last faced off over a month ago. With Chicago firmly entrenched at the bottom of the standings, this is a game Seattle needs to win to build momentum.
The challenge here will be maintaining focus. The Blackhawks’ struggles could tempt the Kraken to take their foot off the gas, but a strong performance is crucial with tougher games looming. Starting the road trip on the right foot could set the tone for the week.
Rivalry reignited
Things ramp up significantly on Saturday as the Kraken face the Golden Knights, who have been red-hot since these teams’ last meeting. Vegas is 11-5-1 in their last 17 games and has reclaimed a spot near the top of the NHL standings. Captain Mark Stone, who missed the previous matchup, is back in the lineup and contributing steadily with three assists in his last four games.
The Kraken managed to beat Vegas in overtime during their last meeting, but this time the stakes are higher. Seattle will need to bring their A-game defensively, and Vince Dunn, who has been excellent since returning from injury, will play a pivotal role in containing Vegas’ potent offense.
Rocky Mountain showdown
The week concludes with a daunting task: a back-to-back against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver. Historically, the Kraken have struggled mightily in the second half of back-to-backs, going 0-5 this season and being outscored 13-4 in those games. Making matters worse, the Avalanche have dominated Seattle in their two meetings this season, and the Kraken’s offense has been particularly anemic in these scenarios, including three shutouts.
While the odds may seem stacked against Seattle, this team has shown an ability to pull off unexpected wins. To steal a game in Colorado, the Kraken will need contributions from all four lines and a strong goaltending performance.
Key storylines to watch
- Goaltending Decisions: Joey Daccord has started only one of the Kraken’s last five games, with Philipp Grubauer getting the nod in the other four. While Grubauer’s performances haven’t been poor, Daccord’s play earlier in the season didn’t warrant losing the starting job outright. It will be interesting to see how head coach Dan Bylsma manages his goalies this week, particularly with a back-to-back looming on the weekend.
- Top-Six Offensive Production: Seattle’s third line, featuring Shane Wright, Eeli Tolvanen, and Oliver Bjorkstrand, has carried the offense recently. However, if the Kraken hope to remain in the playoff picture, they need their top-six forwards to produce. Matty Beniers and Jared McCann are both overdue for a breakout, and this week’s matchups offer an excellent opportunity to turn things around.
- Back-to-Back Woes: The Kraken’s struggles in back-to-backs have been a recurring issue, and Sunday’s game in Colorado will be another tough test. Whether they can finally overcome this hurdle will be crucial to their success on this road trip.
As the Kraken head into this critical stretch, the focus will be on stringing together consistent performances and proving they can hang with the league’s best. With the playoff race tightening, every point counts.