The Seattle Kraken are navigating offensive challenges and a four-game losing streak in a highly paritous NHL season. Despite recent defeats, the team remains close to a playoff spot with games in hand. Coach Lane Lambert emphasizes maintaining perspective amid tight standings.
In a league where teams are more evenly matched than ever, the Seattle Kraken are holding steady despite their first significant rough patch. The Kraken have dropped four straight games, including a 9-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday and a 4-0 shutout by the same team at home earlier. Prior defeats came in a 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars and a 1-0 shootout setback against the New York Islanders.
Kraken head coach Lane Lambert has urged his team to focus on their overall position rather than recent results. 'We have talked about that as a team, just where we’re at,' Lambert said. 'Sometimes you get so lost and focused on the last game or two.' He noted positives from the 3-2 loss to Dallas, describing it as a great game, and highlighted the need to grow offensively while remaining hard to play against.
Standings reflect the parity: The top six Pacific Division teams are separated by just six points, with the Kraken in fifth place at 28 points and the Oilers sixth at 27. Seattle sits one point out of a Western Conference playoff spot and holds four games in hand over the San Jose Sharks ahead of them. The Kraken have victories over division leaders Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights this season.
Offensive contributions have returned with Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko back from injuries; McCann scored in the Edmonton loss. Lambert warned against letting the skid extend, recalling two eight-game losing streaks that derailed the 2023-24 season. 'It’s tight. You wake up one morning, and you’re in first place. You wake up two mornings later, and you’re out of the playoffs,' he said. The team looks to rebound Saturday against Detroit.