Seattle’s Biggest Nightmares: The Teams and Stars That Dominate the Kraken
From their very first game against the Vegas Golden Knights to their first playoff series loss against the Dallas Stars, certain teams and players have repeatedly found ways to turn matchups into nightmares for Kraken fans. Here’s a look at Seattle’s three most “haunted” opponents, each leaving a mark that’s tough to forget.
Honorable Mentions
- Toronto Maple Leafs – Powered by Auston Matthews' scoring and Mitch Marner's playmaking, Toronto has consistently overwhelmed Seattle with its offensive playmakers and speed. In just six games against the Kraken, Marner has racked up 13 points, while Matthews has tallied 11.
- Winnipeg Jets – Winnipeg poses a tough challenge for Seattle, thanks to Kyle Connor’s impressive scoring ability and Connor Hellebuyck’s dependable goaltending. The Kraken frequently struggle to get past Hellebuyck, while Connor ranks third all-time in goals and fifth in points against Seattle.
- Minnesota Wild – Kirill Kaprizov has been a standout for Minnesota, leveraging his speed and creativity to create scoring chances. He is tied for fifth all-time in points against the Kraken, while teammate Matt Boldy holds the record for the most game-winning goals against Seattle with three.
Vegas Golden Knights: The First Haunting
Kraken Record vs Golden Knigts 2-9-1
The Vegas Golden Knights have haunted the Kraken since day one, literally. Seattle’s inaugural NHL game in 2021 ended in a 4-3 loss to Vegas, and the Golden Knights have since continued to be a challenging matchup for the Kraken. Leading the charge against Seattle has been none other than Jonathan Marchessault, a name Kraken fans have come to recognize all too well.
Jonathan Marchessault has scored 9 goals in the regular season against the Kraken—more than any other player in the NHL. Luckily for Seattle, Marchessault has moved on to Nashville, but the nightmare isn’t over. Now, Jack Eichel is primed to become the Kraken's new top nemesis. As Seattle builds its rivalry with Vegas, they’ll need answers for Eichel and the Golden Knights, who continue to echo that first haunting defeat.
Edmonton Oilers: The Triple Threat
Kraken Record vs Oilers 2-8-1
If there’s a team that defines high-scoring threats, it’s the Edmonton Oilers. Their “Big Three”—Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman—combine speed, skill, and relentless pressure to overwhelm defenses. Unfortunately for Seattle, this trio has dominated every encounter, amassing more points against the Kraken than any other group of players.
- Leon Draisaitl - 23 points (5 goals, 18 assists)
- Connor McDavid - 18 Points (7 goals, 11 assists)
- Zach Hyman - 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists)
The McDavid-Draisaitl-Hyman trio looms over Seattle like a haunting specter, proving to be an almost unstoppable force in every matchup. Overcoming the Oilers will require the Kraken to conjure a new level of defensive strategy, focusing on exorcising their fast-paced transitions and limiting their time and space in the offensive zone.
Dallas Stars: The Playoff Nightmare
Kraken Record vs Stars 2-6-0
*Lost 2023 Second Round Playoff Series 3-4
While the Kraken faced their share of tough games against Dallas during the regular season, their playoff run in 2023 brought Seattle’s struggle against the Stars into sharper focus. In their first-ever playoff series loss, the Kraken battled Dallas to seven games but ultimately fell short. The standout player in that series? Veteran forward Joe Pavelski, who put on a performance Kraken fans won’t soon forget.
- Regular Season Stats vs. Seattle: Pavelski was consistently strong against the Kraken, with 15 points (6 goals, 9 assists) in only 9 regular season matchups
- Playoff Stats vs. Seattle: In the 2023 playoff series, Pavelski scored 8 goals in seven games, including an unforgettable four-goal performance in Game 1.
Pavelski’s playoff run felt like a horror movie for Kraken fans, as he relentlessly exploited Seattle’s defense and converted crucial goals, leaving a chilling impression in his wake. With his retirement, the shadow of his legacy looms large over the Kraken, and now young talents like Wyatt Johnston are poised to carry on where Pavelski left off.
As Kraken fans witness every hard-fought battle, an unsettling question lingers: Can Seattle rise up and finally break free from their haunted history, or will they remain forever tormented by these formidable foes? Each game against their rivals is a reminder of past struggles, echoing like ghosts in the arena. The weight of previous encounters hangs heavy, but hope flickers in the darkness. Will this be the season the Kraken exorcise their demons and forge a new legacy, or will they continue to be trapped in a cycle of despair?
feed