On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the Seattle Kraken faced off against the Los Angeles Kings for their third matchup of the season. The Kraken beat the Kings in the two previous games, a 3-2 overtime win on Dec. 10 and a 3-2 regulation win on Dec. 23.
In this game, the Kings scored first, just seven minutes into the first period. The Kraken answered with a goal of their own less than two minutes later. Seattle scored two more goals in the first period, giving them a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes. The Kings scored the only goal in the second period, bringing them closer to tying the game. It was the Kraken who scored just one goal in the final frame, earning them the 4-2 win. With this win, Seattle takes the season series.
Wright’s Two Goals Lead the Team
The Kraken managed to walk away from this game against the Kings with a 4-2 win, with two of their four goals scored by Shane Wright.
Less than two minutes after Andrei Kuzmenko’s power-play goal, the Kraken sprang into action. Ryan Winterton picked up the loose puck from behind Darcy Kuemper’s net and passed it to Wright, who was in front. He gained control of the puck on his forehand and then skated it to the other side of the net. With a backhand shot, he tied the game.
Seconds dwindled on the Kraken’s power-play chance in the third, but Seattle kept it in their zone. Kaapo Kakko received the puck by the boards and passed it to Frederick Gaudreau. He skated the puck up towards the net. He passed it to Wright in the opposing faceoff circle. He ripped a shot which bounced off the iron and into the net for Seattle’s fourth and final goal of the night.
In 56 games, Wright now has 22 points via 11 goals and 11 assists. He has been a solid member of the Kraken’s bottom six, but he is unhappy with where Seattle has been playing him. As trade rumors continue to circulate, it will be interesting to see if any moves are made, especially considering Wright’s performance in the Kraken’s last game before the break.
Kraken Need to Tighten the Penalty Kill
The Kraken are relatively strong on the power play, evidenced by Wright’s third-period goal mentioned above. Vince Dunn also scored a power-play goal to give his team some insurance in the first period. However, both of the Kings’ goals were scored on power-play opportunities for Los Angeles.
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The Kraken are currently ranked 31st overall on the penalty kill, with only the Vancouver Canucks sitting below them. They have a 71.5% success rate when they are down a player on the ice.
Seattle at least has a strong power play, currently ranked 11th with a 23.0% success rate, tied with the New York Rangers. The Kraken need to improve both special teams, but at least they have one area of strength out of the two.
Kraken in a Good Spot at the Break
The Kraken have fluctuated all season, starting off strong in October, but then struggling late November into December. They picked themselves back up in January, and now, at the Olympic break, the Kraken are sitting in a playoff spot. Seattle is just under the Edmonton Oilers in the third spot in the Pacific Division.
With their performance in December, many people were counting the Kraken out, despite them sitting in a playoff spot at the beginning of the season. Now, they have turned their luck around and are back in it. Hopefully, the Olympic break does the Kraken some good so they can stay in their strong playoff position by the time this positioning truly matters towards the end of the season.
Kraken Will Return After Olympic Break
The Kraken will be back in action following the Olympic break. They’ll take on the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on Feb. 25.
The season series between the Kraken and the Kings will conclude on April 13 in Seattle. We’ll see if the Kings get their first win or if Seattle sweeps.
