Out of the six NHL games on Sunday, five of them have a direct impact on the Seattle Kraken’s playoff aspirations. Obviously the head-to-head with the Florida Panthers at Climate Pledge Arena being of greatest importance.
Aside from that 5 pm pacific start, four of the other games will or could have a direct impact on matters.
Two are done already. The Winnipeg Jets beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 to move, at least temporarily, to within three points of the Kraken and four points of the 2nd wild card spot in the Western Conference.
Given their talent, their underachievement thus far this season, and with 16 games remaining, there’s no question the Jets could make a strong push.
Meanwhile, the team occupying that 2nd and final wild card, the San Jose Sharks, lost 7-4 in Ottawa against the Senators. Poor goaltending and three blown leads contributed to their demise.
With a win, Seattle could hop over the Sharks and back into a playoff spot.
Later, the Anaheim Ducks, presently clinging to 2nd place in the Pacific Division, are in Montreal to take on the Canadiens while the barely third place Edmonton Oilers are hosting the Nashville Predators. With a win and a Seattle regulation loss, the Predators would hop into a tie with the Kraken just outside of the playoffs.
The Oilers need the win to solidify their spot in the top three.
The division is ugly, but someone’s gotta make it and Seattle has to be thinking, why not us?
Their coming off a 5-2 win in Vancouver against the Canucks on Saturday night that saw recent acquisition Bobby McMann tally three points in his Kraken debut.
We’ll see how things have shaken out come late Sunday night.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Lose To Avalanche 5-1; Face A Must Win Saturday
