Above Image: For reaching 1,000 NHL games, Seattle Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson is honored during a pregame ceremony by president of hockey operations Ron Francis.
Seattle Kraken fans without a ticket, an ESPN+ or Hulu subscription were unable to watch their heroes return home from a road trip Thursday against the Utah Mammoth.
Those fans should consider themselves fortunate.
Playing for the first time at Climate Pledge Arena since St. Patrick’s Day, Seattle sank further from the playoff cut line with a 6-2 loss.
“Getting run out of your own rink, it’s just disappointing,” said captain Jordan Eberle. “This is unacceptable. We have to figure this out.”
The Kraken special teams were horrific, allowing three Utah power play goals – it would have been four if one hadn’t been waved off for goalie interference. Adding insult to injury, Seattle went 0-for-3 with the extra man.
“The special teams were poor tonight,” said Kraken coach Lane Lambert. “Two four-minute minor penalties for high-sticking; careless plays with your stick (by Berkly Catton and Eberle). When you have to kill multiple minutes at a time, it becomes a problem.
“The power play has not been good after the break. We’ve been looking for solutions; we have to find them.”
And quick. The Kraken have eight games remaining. Stalled at 75 points, Seattle has fallen four back of the final Western Conference wild card spot. Lambert said the players held a postgame meeting, but didn’t want to get into specifics.
As the coach admitted, “The runway’s running out.”
Big Night For Kraken’s Big Cat
The evening had gotten off to such a lovely start. The team honored defenseman Adam Larsson for reaching 1,000 games in the NHL (274 with the New Jersey Devils, 329 with the Edmonton Oilers, and as of tonight, 401 with the Kraken).
Larsson was presented with a portrait, wine, a Rolex watch, airline tickets, and a silver stick commemorating the milestone. His 1,000th game actually came on the road Mar. 24 against the Florida Panthers.
An original Kraken who has missed just one game in the history of the franchise, Larsson said at morning skate, “The most fun I’ve had playing in this league, my five years here in Seattle.”
Coach Lambert added, “Great teammate, great leader. Quiet leader, but when he speaks, they listen. He’ll do anything for the team.”
Though it will be of little comfort on his special night, Larsson provided his usual steady individual effort. He contributed 3 shots, 3 hits, 3 blocks, 1 assist, and a +2 in 21:07 TOI.
14 Minutes Of Fun
The good times continued 41 seconds after puck drop, as Eberle followed Larsson’s shot for his 24th goal and a 1-0 Kraken lead.
Later in the period, Bobby McMann’s spectacular spinarama backhand put Seattle up 2-0 at 13:45. McMann’s eighth goal in 10 games since being acquired from Toronto, his 27th overall this season, concluded the good news for the home team.
Utah scored the final six goals of the game, including power play strikes by Logan Cooley (one of his two on the night), Nick Schmaltz, and Michael Carcone.
“We do things that let other teams back in the game,” Lambert said. “We certainly do find ways to beat ourselves.”
Game Notes
** This was a high-volume night for goalie interference calls. The Kraken had a goal waved off at a critical juncture in the game; Jacob Melanson’s 2nd period deflection had appeared to put Seattle up 3-1. Dylan Guenther’s 3rd period score, his 37th, was originally waved off, but was reinstated after a Utah challenge. Coach Lambert was demonstrably upset on the bench by the reversal.
** Melanson recorded eight hits in 9:49 TOI for Seattle.
** Joey Daccord made 25 saves, but not enough in the eyes of coach Lambert. “There’s some saves that we needed, and we didn’t get them.”
** Kraken on ice for all three Mammoth even-strength goals: forwards Catton and Freddy Gaudreau, and defensemen Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans.
** Utah swept the season series with the Kraken, winning by two goals, three goals, and tonight, four goals.
Earlier Kraken:
— Seattle Kraken: What The Hell Are They Doing?
