The Seattle Kraken’s recent struggles hit a new low in their 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks at Climate Pledge Arena. It marked the team’s third straight defeat and highlighted several issues that have plagued them over the past week. While there were moments of brilliance, particularly from individual players, the bigger picture reveals a team in desperate need of defensive adjustments.
1. Early struggles sink the Kraken
The Kraken stumbled right from the start, falling into a 4-0 deficit by the middle of the second period. Defensive lapses and poor puck management allowed San Jose to capitalize, with Cody Ceci converting a rebound and Will Smith finishing off a textbook 2-on-1. These early goals deflated the Kraken and forced them into a desperate chase for the remainder of the game.
What stood out was the lack of energy and focus during the first two periods. Passes were sloppy, and the team struggled to generate any sustained offensive pressure. By the time Jaden Schwartz and Jared McCann scored late goals to cut into the Sharks’ lead, the game was already out of reach.
This slow start has become a worrying trend for Seattle. To turn things around, they’ll need to find a way to establish tempo early, especially against teams that thrive on transition play like the Sharks.
2. A defensive collapse
Just a week ago, the Kraken led the NHL with an impressive streak of seven consecutive games allowing two or fewer goals. However, the last three games have seen a dramatic reversal, with the Kraken surrendering a combined 17 goals. So what went wrong?
The pairing of Will Borgen and Jamie Oleksiak has been particularly problematic. Over the season, Borgen has posted a team-worst -17 goal differential, and when paired with Oleksiak, the numbers are even more alarming: opponents have scored eight goals, while the Kraken’s offense has failed to generate a single tally during their shared ice time.
The return of Vince Dunn in this game offered a silver lining. Dunn, playing top-line minutes, looked sharp and was easily Seattle’s most reliable defenseman. His return is expected to shake up the defensive pairings, but it’s clear that putting Borgen and Oleksiak together is a pairing that does not need to happen.
3. Daccord left out to dry
Joey Daccord, one of the Kraken’s most consistent players this season, had another tough outing, though the blame lies more with the team in front of him than his own performance. Despite making 19 saves, Daccord was repeatedly left to fend for himself as the Sharks exploited Seattle’s defensive breakdowns.
San Jose’s goals all came from prime scoring areas, where Daccord had little chance to make the save. Mario Ferraro’s deflected shot was the result of Seattle failing to clear the crease, and Luke Kunin’s tally was a direct consequence of an unchecked rush to the net.
Daccord has been a rock for Seattle, but even the best goaltenders need support. If the Kraken hope to break out of this slump, they must clean up their defensive zone coverage, reduce turnovers, and limit high-danger chances.
Looking Ahead
The Kraken's defensive struggles and lack of offensive cohesion have contributed to a three-game skid that threatens to derail their season. The return of Vince Dunn is a bright spot, but the coaching staff will need to make smart adjustments to restore stability on the blue line. While Borgen and Oleksiak are not a primary pairing, their time on the ice together has been disastrous, with poor chemistry leading to repeated defensive breakdowns. Avoiding this combination in the future will be key to tightening up the Kraken’s defensive play.
The Kraken’s next test comes on the road against the Carolina Hurricanes, a team that will punish Seattle if these issues persist. With three straight losses in the rearview mirror, the Kraken have an opportunity to regroup, refocus, and rediscover the defensive discipline that defined their earlier success.
The question now is whether they can seize this moment and get their season back on track.