Kraken Fall Back Into Bad Habits, Suffer 6-2 Loss to Lightning
It started with Jared McCann.
The Seattle Kraken forward said as much, referring to his turnover to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gage Concalves on a hit along the boards that ultimately led to the latter giving his side a 1-0 lead just 5:45 into Tuesday’s game at Climate Pledge Arena, but it didn’t end there.
Between Tampa’s relentless forecheck and a couple of crucial mistakes on Seattle’s end, the Lightning stormed to a 3-0 lead. The Kraken managed to cut it to 3-2 midway through the second period, but more mistakes doomed them to a 6-2 loss.
Bottom-Six Propels Kraken to Big Win Over Panthers
After snapping their four-game losing streak with a 5-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks, the Seattle Kraken’s new-look top line and trade deadline acquisition Bobby McMann’s three-point debut stole the show. Less than 24 hours later, it was the Kraken bottom-six that powered Seattle to a back-to-back sweep with a 6-2 win against the Florida Panthers at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday.
With two goals each from the third- and fourth-line, the Kraken displayed the top-to-bottom production they’ll need if they want to hold down a spot in the Western Conference playoff picture, which they reclaimed after San Jose lost 7-4 to Ottawa on Sunday.
“We need everybody,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “That’s the way it’s going to be, and certainly we need everybody and needed everybody on a second night of a back-to-back with a rested team here waiting for us, and Joey (Daccord) played well right off the start, and then our fourth line stepped up and got us going with some energy … so huge for us, but we’re a four-line hockey team, and that’s what we need out of them.”
Kraken GM Jason Botterill Breaks Down McMann Acquisition, State of Team After Trade Deadline
Striking at close to midnight - at least proverbially - the Seattle Kraken acquired Bobby McMann from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick right before the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday.
McMann, 29, is a forward on the final season of a two-year contract with a $1.35 million AAV. He has 19 goals and 32 points through 60 games this season, which ranks second-most on Seattle behind captain Jordan Eberle (42 points).
Of course, that production came with superstar Auston Matthews at center. According to Natural Stat Trick, McMann had 238:09 of 5-on-5 ice time on a line with Matthews and Max Domi, the most of any single line combination in Toronto this season.
Kraken Re-Sign Ben Meyers, Ryan Winterton to Extensions
Ben Meyers and Ryan Winterton are sticking around. Coming out of the Olympic break, the Seattle Kraken announced contract extensions for both forwards, each of whom has impressed in bottom-six roles in their first full-time stints with the club this season, in a press release on Tuesday.
Meyers, 27, agreed to a two-year, $2 million contract ($1 million AAV), lasting through the 2027-28 season. After starting the season in the AHL with the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Meyers was called up to Seattle for a nine-game stint from Oct. 21-Nov. 13, tallying three assists before being sent back down to Coachella Valley. Following the reassignment, Meyers authored an eight-game point streak (seven goals and four assists) before returning to Seattle on Dec. 10, where he’s played since.
In 31 NHL games this season, Meyers has five goals and 11 points. Since his last recall in December, the Delano, Minn. native has carved out a key role on Seattle’s fourth line, displaying good chemistry and production with Winterton, Tye Kartye and Jacob Melanson.
‘Always Want to Get That One Back’: Wright Pulls Kraken Past Maple Leafs to Third Straight Win
Redeeming himself after an early snafu on Thursday night, Shane Wright’s two-goal effort steered the Kraken past the Maple Leafs in a convincing 5-2 win. Jumping into third place in the Pacific Division, how did Seattle get it done at Climate Pledge Arena?
Stripped of Hat Trick, Jared McCann Leads Kraken to Wild 5-1 Win vs. Capitals
While two separate chances to record a hat trick were taken away from him, Jared McCann finished with two goals and two assists for the Kraken to headline a dominant 5-1 win against the Capitals on Tuesday. What stood out from one of the team’s most complete games?
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 Snap Skid in 4-1 Win vs. Islanders With Stellar Penalty Kill
It was a busy night for the Kraken penalty kill against the Islanders at Climate Pledge Arena on Wednesday, going 6-for-7 as Seattle snapped a four-game losing streak. How did the Kraken get it done after falling behind early?
Mistakes Continue to Plague Kraken in Return Home in 6-3 Loss to Penguins
A third period goal from Eeli Tolvanen gave the Kraken life, trimming the Penguins’ lead to 4-3. But the home side couldn’t find the equalizer before Rickard Rakell slipped an ugly goal past goalie Joey Daccord en route to a 6-3 Penguins win.
Kraken’s Second Period Burst Leads to 7-4 Win Against Bruins as Kartye Returns to Ice
With Eeli Tolvanen out, coach Lane Lambert broke up the highly productive fourth line for the Kraken on Tuesday night. It was a risky move, but one that paid off and then some as red-hot Seattle earned a 7-4 home win over Boston.
Kraken Build ‘Rare’ Big Lead, Extend Point Streak to Six Against Predators
Continuing to play much better on the ice, the Kraken extended their points streak to six thanks to an explosive first period that had been unrivaled by the franchise in over a calendar year. How did Seattle put away Nashville swiftly at Climate Pledge Arena?
Kraken Settle for 3-2 Shootout Loss to Canucks
The Kraken outshot the Canucks by 16 across the third period and overtime, but couldn’t beat goaltender Kevin Lankinen with the game hanging in the balance, who turned in a gem to snap Seattle’s four-game winning streak at Climate Pledge Arena.
Shane Wright, Kraken Searching For ‘Killer Instinct’ to Break Out of Slump
Despite the Seattle Kraken’s recent 1-7-1 skid, forward Shane Wright has shown some good play, and Emerald City Spectrum spoke with him and others Monday about what the team needs to do to right the ship.
‘The Guys Have to Do Their Job’: Kraken Skid Continues in 3-1 Loss to Sabres
Losing their eighth game in nine tries, much to the frustration of Lane Lambert, the Kraken once again were plagued by many of the same problems that have upended a promising start, this time falling to the Sabres at home.
Kraken Reunite Last Year’s Top Line Ahead of Weekend Road Swing
Following Wednesday’s 6-1 loss to the Sharks, the Kraken returned to practice on Thursday with a higher pace and intensity coupled with some shuffling on the forward lines as Lane Lambert continues to make tweaks to the lineup.
Kraken Struggle Offensively vs. Rangers, Fall 3-2 in Overtime
The Seattle Kraken once again salvaged a point in the standings by the skin of their teeth, but fell in overtime for the second time in a week, as J.T. Miller connected with Will Cuylle to give the New York Rangers a 3-2 overtime win at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday.
After Listless Start, Kraken Comeback Attempt Falls Short in 4-3 OT Loss to Canadiens
Despite the comeback going incomplete in overtime, Kraken head coach Lane Lambert made a personnel decision to jumpstart the team down three with 14 minutes left that allowed Seattle to come away from their Tuesday game with a point.
Ryan Winterton Building Chemistry, Carving Out Role on Kraken Fourth Line
While the Kraken went 2-2-2 on their six-game road trip with a mixed bag of results before returning to Climate Pledge Arena for a 3-2 win against the Oilers on Saturday, Ryan Winterton has started to find his niche with an increasing role in his third season.
‘Opportunistic’ Kraken Fend Off Oilers in 3-2 Win
Protecting a 2-1 lead entering the third period at Climate Pledge Arena on Saturday, the Kraken expected a push from the Edmonton Oilers. So when that push came to fruition right off the opening faceoff, they positioned themselves accordingly.
Takeaways From Kraken’s 4-3 Overtime Win Against Maple Leafs, Road Trip At Large
After their 4-3 overtime win against the Maple Leafs on Saturday, the Kraken are halfway through their six-game road trip. Who stood out in Toronto and how has the trip gone for Lane Lambert’s team this far?