The Seattle Kraken just pulled off a crucial victory against the Los Angeles Kings, securing a vital third-place standing as they head into the Olympic break! In a game that felt absolutely essential, the Kraken managed to win the second half of a back-to-back series, triumphing over the Kings with a 4-2 score at Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night. This win wasn't just about bragging rights; it significantly boosted their position in the Western Conference playoff race.
It all started with a bit of a nail-biter. The Kings were the first to put points on the board with a power-play goal from Andre Kuzmenko. After a disappointing loss to the Anaheim Ducks the previous night, many fans were left wondering if the Kraken were in for another tough outing. But here's where it gets exciting: Seattle quickly silenced those doubts, unleashing a barrage of three goals in just 7 minutes and 39 seconds to seize a lead they would never relinquish.
Now, heading into the Olympic break, the Kraken boast an impressive 11-6-2 record in 2026. This victory has not only solidified their third place in the Pacific Division but also created a crucial buffer in the Western Conference playoff picture. Currently, there's a three-point gap separating the last wild-card team, the Anaheim Ducks (with 63 points), from the first team on the outside looking in, the LA Kings (with 60 points). While the Kings and Predators have a game against each other soon, which could narrow this gap, one thing is for sure: the Kraken will maintain their third-place spot throughout the Olympic hiatus. And for those keeping score, the Kraken have now swept their season series against the Kings, holding a perfect 3-0 record against them this year.
Here are the Three Takeaways from this pivotal win:
Takeaway 1: Shane Wright is Finding His Stride
Shane Wright is on fire! For the second time in just four games, he's scored two goals. After a somewhat slower start with only seven goals in his first 52 games, he's now impressively boosted his total to 11 goals. His first goal of the night was a real beauty, a result of a clever steal and pass from Ryan Winterton. Wright skillfully brought the puck to his backhand and then beat Darcy Kuemper to knot the score at 1-1. When asked about his increased scoring, Wright shared, “Guys are finding me. That’s a big thing. Putting myself in areas to score, trying to get open and shoot the puck as well. Guys are making good plays on the goals, so I’m not having to do too much on them. But it’s always nice to chip in there.” The real key here is Wright's ability to position himself effectively and make himself available. His second goal, a crucial power-play marker assisted by Freddy Gaudreau, extended the Kraken's lead to two goals, providing much-needed breathing room.
Takeaway 2: The Penalty Kill Needs Attention
This is the part that might raise some eyebrows. The Kings managed to score twice on the power play, both goals coming from Andre Kuzmenko. This continues a concerning trend for the Kraken, who have now allowed power-play goals in eight of their last nine games. In fact, the one game where they technically didn't give up a power-play goal, they conceded one just five seconds after a penalty expired, as Matty Beniers was still rejoining the play. This is definitely an area that will require significant focus when the Kraken return from their break. But here's the silver lining: despite these struggles, the Kraken managed to hold the Kings to just those two power-play goals and still secured the 4-2 victory. The Kings certainly pushed hard, even having two goals disallowed as the whistle had already blown. Trevor Moore even gave the Kraken a scare early in the third period, nearly tying the game, but the post came to the Kraken's rescue. After some back-and-forth odd-man rushes, Seattle settled down and ultimately sealed the win with Wright's power-play goal.
Takeaway 3: The Offense is Clicking
After being completely shut out for 55 minutes in their previous game against the Ducks, the Kraken rediscovered their scoring touch in a big way. They potted four goals in this matchup, and their scoring average in 2026 now stands at a remarkable 3.47 goals per game. If this average were maintained over a full season, it would place them third in the entire NHL! Several players had standout offensive nights, with Chandler Stephenson, Freddy Gaudreau, and Shane Wright all contributing two points each. The offense was truly firing on all cylinders.
A quick note on the lineup: Jaden Schwartz was sidelined with a lower-body injury, leading to the call-up of Oscar Fisker-Molgaard. Interestingly, the Kraken are 3-0 in games Molgaard has played, though his impact in this particular game was minimal due to limited ice time for the fourth line. However, Molgaard's presence allowed Freddy Gaudreau to step in for Schwartz, playing alongside Stephenson and Eeli Tolvanen. Gaudreau had a fantastic game, earning the primary assist on Wright's second goal and finishing with two points.
Wrapping it Up:
With 19 games already played in 2026 and the team riding a wave of momentum, it's almost a shame the Olympic break is here. The Kraken have been playing at a level akin to playoff hockey for the past month, with games coming thick and fast, and they've thrived. However, this break is certainly well-deserved. They still have areas to sharpen, most notably their penalty kill, so the hope is they'll return on February 25th refreshed and ready to go. And they won't be easing back in; their first game back is a back-to-back against the Dallas Stars, followed by the St. Louis Blues on February 26th.
The Kraken will be sending three players to the Olympics (four now with Molgaard on the roster). We wish them the very best of luck! Considering Dallas is sending seven players and St. Louis has five, the Kraken might just have the advantage in terms of rest when they return. What are your thoughts on the Kraken's performance and their upcoming schedule? Do you agree that the penalty kill is their biggest concern heading into the break? Let us know in the comments below!
