The Kraken are 2-and-0 this season against the Pacific Division leading Vegas Golden Knights after Saturday night’s 3-2 victory in Nevada. The teams will face one another twice more in April.
The win, featuring a Kaapo Kakko game winner at the 3:18 mark of the 3rd period that snapped a 2-2 tie, was the fourth consecutive for third-place Seattle and moved them to within three points of both Vegas and the Edmonton Oilers atop the NHL’s most competitive division. Six teams are within six points of first place.
With that in mind, holding a playoff position is tenuous, with a handful of clubs continuously bouncing in and out of a postseason position. The Kraken are a perfect example, having been in and out during their various winning and losing streaks. As recently as four days ago, they were on the outside looking in.
That sets up two pivotal matches for Seattle just ahead of the NHL’s almost three-week long Winter Olympic break. The Kraken visit the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night and the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. Both clubs have 59 points, two behind Seattle, and are tied for the second and final Western Conference wild card spot.
Despite the fact almost a third of the regular season remains, these games will serve as mini-playoff matches, with points on the line that will surely impact the overall standings come April 16th, the date of Seattle’s final game.
The Kraken have made the playoffs just once during their four-year existence, following the 2022-’23 season. The Ducks haven’t been in since 2018, while the Kings earned a spot each of the last four seasons. All four times, LA was bounced by the Edmonton Oilers in the first round. This is the final season for 38-year-old Kings captain Anze Kopitar.
The San Jose Sharks are the other Pacific team in the playoff mix with 58 points. They haven’t participated in the postseason since 2019.
The Utah Mammoth and the Nashville Predators from the Central Division factor into the Western Conference wild card competition, with Utah presently sitting in the first spot.
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