3 Takeaways From Kraken’s Embarrassing 6-2 Loss to Mammoth

On Thursday, April 2, the Seattle Kraken hosted the Utah Mammoth for their final matchup of the season. The Kraken returned home from a six-game road trip, ready to get back into the win column. The Mammoth had other plans.

The Kraken took an early lead with two goals scored in the first 14 minutes. The Mammoth answered back with a power-play goal, but Seattle still had a one-goal lead after 20 minutes. However, the second and third periods were all Utah. The Kraken initially scored a third goal, but it was called off for goaltender interference. After that, the Mammoth scored two goals in the second period to take the lead. With three more unanswered in the third period, the Mammoth took a 6-2 win over the Kraken and swept the season series. 

Kraken Had a Strong Start 

Not even a minute into the game, Jared McCann received the puck at the boards. He passed it across the ice for Adam Larsson, who the Kraken had just celebrated moments before with his 1,000th game celebration. He took a shot, but Karel Vejmelka made the initial save. Jordan Eberle skated up to the net with speed, picked up the rebound, and scored just 41 seconds in. 

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This goal marked Eberle’s 24th of the season. While he doesn’t lead the team in goals, he does lead the team in points with 52. The Kraken’s captain has been having a great performance this season, as this is the most goals he has ever scored in a single season as a part of Seattle. With eight more games left in the season, let’s see if he can continue to increase this total. 

McMann Keeps Setting Records

Shortly after Eberle broke the ice, the Kraken extended their lead. Seattle stole the puck from Utah in their zone, causing a breakout. Kaapo Kakko stole the puck and passed it to Bobby McMann in the neutral zone. He passed it to Chandler Stephenson, but he lost control of the puck as he skated towards the net. McMann picked it back up and scored the Kraken’s second of the night. 

McMann continues to break records with his new team. After only joining the Kraken at the trade deadline, he has played 10 games with Seattle. His goal in this game marks his eighth with the new club. McMann now holds the record for most goals in 10 games. It was previously set by Brandon Tanev in Seattle’s inaugural season with six goals. McMann was a great acquisition for the Kraken at the deadline and continues to shine.

Kraken Collapsed When It Mattered Most 

Despite the Kraken’s early lead, it was overtaken by the Mammoth’s five unanswered goals in the final two periods. With 18 shots on net in the second and third periods, Seattle did what they could to try and stage a comeback, but it wasn’t enough. 

Speaking to the media after the game, Lane Lambert was asked about why the Kraken couldn’t hold onto their lead. He stated, “For whatever reason, lately we do things that let other teams back into the game. Ill-advised pass in the middle, we take a penalty, and then all of a sudden, they score on the power play, so they’re back in the game.”

Heading into this game, the Kraken were still in the hunt for the second wild card spot. Now, it seems far out of reach. Dropping to sixth place in the Western Conference wild card race, the Kraken would need to win their next eight games. After the collapse in this game and losing seven of their last eight, it seems more likely they will miss the playoffs for the third season in a row.

Kraken Need to Regroup for Saturday

The Kraken will stay home and host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, April 4.