As the Seattle Kraken get set for Saturday’s second of two NHL Global Series games in Helsinki, cross geography off the list of why Seattle’s penalty kill has struggled. It performed just as poorly in Finland on Thursday as it has in Canada and the United States.
The Carolina Hurricanes scored on one of two full power plays in their 4-1 victory at Veikkaus Arena. Oh, sure, the stats say Carolina went 1-3, but that last minor came in the final minute when the outcome had long been decided.
The Seattle penalty kill ranks 30th, at just over 65%. It’s not a stretch to say that if the Kraken can’t improve that number by 10-15%, they’ll be arranging tee times instead of playoff dates this spring.
One Kraken Skater Stood Out
If there’s one Kraken who earned a good night’s sleep after Thursday’s loss, it was Freddy Gaudreau. Check out how Seattle’s leader in goals with eight compared to all his teammates.
- Goals: Gaudreau 1, all other skaters 0
- Shots: Gaudreau 3, all other skaters 10
- Hits: Gaudreau 3, tied for team-high with Ryker Evans, Ben Meyers & Josh Mahura
Afterward, Gaudreau tried to explain how he’s exceeded his seven goals in 68 games in 2025-26.
“Last season, I came in a trade (from the Minnesota Wild) I didn’t really expect in the summer. There’s a lot of adjustments, move your family, new environment. I just try to continuously get better. I love this game.
“It’s not really the goals I’m looking for. I’m looking for wins, that’s all I care about.”
Kraken Gameplan For Hurricanes Rematch
As for Saturday’s rematch (10 am Seattle time), coach Lane Lambert says his team “Has to be better prepared mentally. They are a shot-volume team. When you’re in your zone as much as we were (Thursday), your goaltender gets taxed for sure.
“There’s another level we can get to. We’ve got to get shots to the net and generate rebounds. There’s no question that we can play a better hockey game.”
Center Matty Beniers identified two areas of the ice that could be key to a Kraken victory.
“The bluelines. Getting pucks out of the zone. Not turning pucks over at their blueline. They’re an extremely good turnover and transition team. The more you can make them turn into their zone, make them play defense, make all five guys come through you, the more you’ll be able to create your own turnovers, tilt the ice, gain momentum.”
