Kraken Lament Collapse, Missed Opportunities at Year-End Exit Interviews
One month ago, the Seattle Kraken sat in a playoff spot, and after making an addition at the trade deadline on March 6, felt confident about their chances to compete in April.
“I think we have good depth throughout our lineup,” general manager Jason Botterill said following the deadline. “And this is a team that went through a tough stretch in December. The fact that they’ve been able to rebound from that and really take it, I like how we played at the end leading into the Olympic break. … Coming out of the break, I think there’s still another level we can get to.”
However, rather than taking a step forward, the Kraken took several steps back. From March 17 to April 16, the Kraken went 3-11-2 with just one regulation win against the Calgary Flames on April 11. After entering the stretch in the second wild card spot, Seattle finishes the year with the sixth-best odds to win the top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.
Kraken Stumble Early, Fall Short Late in 5-3 Home Finale Loss vs. Kings
Trailing 2-0 to the Los Angeles Kings at Climate Pledge Arena on Monday, the Seattle Kraken fought to cut the deficit during the second period.
Both Kings goals came from forward Quinton Byfield beating Kraken defenseman Ryan Lindgren to the puck around the Los Angeles blue line and scoring on a breakaway, but Seattle hoped it would benefit from a similar bounce.
A Vince Dunn shot from the point was obstructed by a teammate and swept away at 5:16, and Berkly Catton went wide from the netfront off a centering pass nearly a minute later. Ryan Winterton also had a look from a tight angle at 6:51, but it would be the Kings that struck next at 7:13.
Alex Laferriere sent a shot wide off the end boards that barely slipped under Matty Beniers’ stick and straight to Trevor Moore in the left circle. Moore’s shot off the rebound beat Kraken goalie Nikke Kokko to make it 3-0.
The Kraken brought the game back within one goal twice during the third period, but ultimately fell 5-3 to close out their 2025-26 home slate. Eliminated from playoff contention, Seattle has two more road games this season.
Kraken Blow Lead, Allow Six Unanswered in Critical Loss to Utah
SEATTLE, Wash. - Jacob Melanson was doing Jacob Melanson things.
Moments after beating out a potential icing for the Seattle Kraken, which faced the Utah Mammoth at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday, the 22-year-old forward redirected a Ryan Lindgren shot past Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka to extend Seattle’s lead to 3-1 early in the second period.
That kind of high-motor, physical play getting instantly rewarded is just what a Kraken team fighting for a Western Conference wild card spot needs. Instead, it was instantly stripped away.
The Mammoth successfully challenged for goaltender interference, bringing the score back to 2-1. Utah tied it four minutes later, erasing its 2-0 deficit and scoring four more unanswered goals to secure a 6-2 win.
Kraken Fall Out of Playoff Spot as Skid Continues in 5-1 Loss to Avalanche
The difference between the first and second period was night and day for the Seattle Kraken against the Colorado Avalanche at Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday.
A lethargic effort from Seattle and a three-point period from Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon put the Kraken in a 3-0 hole through 20 minutes, but the home side came out of the gates swinging in the second period.
Despite building up a 10-0 shots on goal advantage through 10:25, Seattle could not manage to get on the board before Adam Larsson committed a tripping penalty to put the Kraken on the penalty kill.
What should have been a momentum killer was the exact opposite. Chandler Stephenson set up Ryker Evans for a short-handed goal, and Seattle was back in business.
For less than four minutes, unfortunately.
‘We Were Committed’: Kraken Stick to Game Plan, Earn Massive 2-1 Win vs. Hurricanes
The Seattle Kraken knew exactly what they needed to do when the Carolina Hurricanes rolled into Climate Pledge Arena on Monday.
Entering the game with the second-best record in the NHL, Carolina averaged the second-most shots on goal per game (32) and had totaled the most combined shots on goal plus shot attempts (2,347 Fenwick For).
So it wasn’t a surprise when the Hurricanes outshot Seattle 36-15 by the end of the night. What was a surprise was that the Kraken put more of theirs into the back of the net.
Kraken Bounce Back With Third-Period Burst Against Devils
After entering the third period at Climate Pledge Arena tied 1-1 against the Devils on Sunday, the Kraken managed to put just four more shots on goal with a goalie in the net. Luckily for them, two of them went in, allowing them to secure a much-needed win.
Kraken Squander Overtime Opportunity After Comeback Against Wild
Much like their opponents who rolled through Climate Pledge Arena in the first half of December, the Kraken executed a third-period comeback against the Wild on Thursday, looking to steal another win. But overtime didn’t work out in their favor.
Kraken Extend Win Streak to Four After Christmas Break, Snag 4-1 Win vs. Flyers
In the midst of a three-game winning streak, the arrival of Holiday Break appeared to come at the worst time for the Kraken. But the long break didn’t cool off Lane Lambert’s squad, which kept rolling in a big win over the Flyers at Climate Pledge Arena.
More Missed Opportunities Plague Kraken as Avalanche Mount Third Period Comeback
Facing the NHL’s top team, the Kraken put themselves in position to drive home a much-needed victory in the third period with a one goal lead. But in key moments down the stretch, Lane Lambert’s team came up short yet again, losing for the ninth time in 10 games.
Kraken Reverse Fortunes With Thrilling 3-2 OT Win vs. Kings
Entering the final minute, it appeared the Kraken would lose its sixth straight game in regulation, once again allowing the go-ahead goal in the third period against the Kings. But a late power-play goal from Matty Beniers forced overtime, where Vince Dunn ended the skid.
Philipp Grubauer Saves Kraken in Relief, Backstops 4-1 Win vs. Sharks
The Kraken were hit with a one-two punch at the end of the first period against the San Jose Sharks at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday, losing their goaltender immediately after giving up a goal. But a veteran standby saved the day, securing a big win over the Sharks.
Adam Larsson Remains Kraken’s Steady Anchor in Year 15
Few players remain on the roster from the Kraken’s inaugural roster. But as Seattle tries to stay in the thick of the playoff hunt early in the 2025-26 season, one veteran mainstay continues to set the tone as the team’s steadying anchor.
Kraken Bounce Back, Hold Off Blackhawks in 3-1 Win
In a 10-second span, the Kraken went from knocking on the door of a 3-0 lead to protecting a one-goal margin against the Blackhawks. But the home squad did not buckle, turning defense into offense late to secure the 3-1 win on Monday.
Kraken Provide Injury Updates for Three Key Players
While the Seattle Kraken welcomed two of their top veterans back to action, they had another one absent from Tuesday’s practice as they continue to deal with injuries during training camp leading up to the start of a new season.
Seattle Kraken Position Group Overviews: Defensemen
Only a month away from the start of training camp, the Kraken not only return several quality defensemen, but they further bolstered that group during free agency. Will the unit be able to mesh in Lane Lambert’s system?
Analysis: What Ryker Evans Extension Means For Seattle Kraken
Securing one of their top young defenders for continued development under Lane Lambert’s new coaching staff, the Kraken handed Ryker Evans a new deal with hopes he will keep lifting his game in 2025-26 and beyond.
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