Kraken Playoff Chase
What a difference a day makes. Or in the case of the Kraken, how about the last three weeks!?
Seattle has squandered opportunities to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the also-rans in the horrid Pacific Division.
Instead, they’ve gone 4-and-8 since the NHL Winter Olympic break, with two wins over the dead last Vancouver Canucks, a remarkable one over the Carolina Hurricanes in which the Kraken hung on for dear life, and another over the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.
I use that term on purpose: Don’t believe the hype from that label. Racked by injuries, the Cats from outside Fort Lauderdale are a non-playoff team this season. In fact, as of Friday, they have the same number of points as the Kraken; 71.
As for the last 24 hours, things aren’t much better. With their 3-1 loss to Nashville on Thursday night — Seattle’s second defeat at the hands of the Predators in the previous ten days — the Kraken dropped out of the 2nd Western Conference wild card spot.
The LA Kings slipped in there following a shoot-out loss at home to the Philadelphia Flyers. And with Nashville’s head-to-head win, the Predators are now tied with Seattle for 9th place in the conference.
The young San Jose Sharks have also blown opportunities to gather some steam. The exciting up-and-comers have dropped three straight games, yet still find themselves just one point back of Seattle and Nashville.
The startling story above that group is the Utah Mammoth, who, with impressive wins this week over the Dallas Stars and then the Vegas Golden Knights, have almost assured themselves a playoff spot with 78 points. They would have to collapse to not get in, and given who’s chasing them, they’ve gotta like their odds.
Out of the powerhouse Central Division, the Mammoth sit in the 1st wild card spot out. The Central sees the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche all with 90 points or better. The Av’s are two points away from 100.
If the Mammoth were in the Pacific, they’d be tied for 1st place.
As for the Kraken’s next adventure; it’s a tall task. They skate into Columbus for an early evening affair (2 pm pacific) on Saturday against the red hot Blue Jackets.
It could be another day of reckoning. The Jackets are the hottest team in the Eastern Conference.
Earlier Kraken:
— No Excuse For Kraken In Pathetic Pacific
Earlier Canucks:
— Canucks Trade Tyler Myers; Whipping Boy Turned Respected Leader
