Kraken Psychological Edge
Sure, the Vegas Golden Knights won the Pacific Division last year. Sure, they swept the President’s Trophy-winning Colorado Avalanche in the playoffs. Sure, they came within two games from bringing home the Stanley Cup.
You know what the boys from Sin City couldn’t do? Capture a season series against your Seattle Kraken.
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas isn’t just a Hunter S. Thompson novel and Johnny Depp movie. It’s what the Kraken instilled in the Golden Knights, winning three of four meetings during the 2025-26 season. All three Seattle victories were by one goal; one in regulation, one in overtime, one in a shootout.
Oct. 11, 2025: Golden Knights 1 @ Kraken 2 (OT)
In the second game of the season, Jared McCann potted Matty Beniers’ rebound (image below) with four seconds left in overtime for the 2-1 victory. It was only Seattle’s fourth win in 16 meetings with Vegas.
SinBin.Vegas was impressed. “Kraken just played about as good of an OT period as you can play. VGK could not get possession the entire session.”
Seattle defenseman Brandon Montour energized the crowd, and his bench, first with a heavy hit on Zach Whitecloud, then taking on Ben Hutton in a fight. “So far, so great and so thrilling,” said Kraken writer Bob Condor.
Jan. 31, 2026: Kraken 3 @ Golden Knights 2
Kaapo Kakko’s backhand broke a 2-2 tie early in the 3rd period, leading Seattle to their fourth straight win. Joey Daccord made 27 saves, including snapping the glove on Ivan Barbashev’s breakaway with 15 minutes left. After the final horn, Daccord delivered a bear hug to every teammate within reach.
Noting 1st period goals by Eeli Tolvanen and McCann, Seattle head coach Lane Lambert said, “The guys have done a good job of making sure that they’re ready to go.”
“It’s like we give up one goal and it’s, ‘Here we go again,'” Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl said. “We stop playing.”
Apr. 9, 2026: Golden Knights 3 @ Kraken 4 (SO)
The Kraken snapped a five-game losing streak. Seattle rallied from a 3-1 3rd period deficit on goals by rookie Berkly Catton at 6:11 and Maple Leafs transplant Bobby McMann at 9:16. Seattle improved to 2-6 in shootouts as Catton and Beniers scored for the 4-3 final.
Earlier, McCann scored for the third straight game against the Golden Knights. Daccord made 31 saves.
Vegas coach John Tortorella had won his first four matches after replacing Bruce Cassidy, until entering Climate Pledge Arena. “Give (Seattle) credit,” Torts said afterward. “They surge at certain times, they’re a fast team. Nothing we can do. We’ll take the point and get out of here.”
Will New Season Include New Results?
Vegas finally came out on top, 4-1 on Apr. 15, in the next-to-last Kraken game of the season. The two teams won’t wait long to renew acquaintances: the first of four 2026-27 meetings takes place in Seattle on Oct. 6.
You know fans in the City of Lost Wages have that date circled. One Vegas team website recently published the headline, “Why this year’s face-off between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Seattle Kraken will be different.” An attempted answer doesn’t come until the very end of the story. “Don’t let the other expansion team take control of the puck and keep it away.”
If the Golden Knights read that, I guess the Kraken are doomed.
Earlier Seattle:
— Kraken Looking To Extend ‘Hello Kitty’ Win Streak
