Perhaps the Seattle Kraken are nonetheless in a tryptophan-induced coma from all of the turkey that they had on Thanksgiving.
The Kraken have misplaced six video games in a row — the previous 5 in regulation — after a 4-1 loss Monday to visiting Minnesota.
They are going to look to lastly snap that streak after they play host to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday evening.
“All-time low is a troublesome spot to be in,” stated Kraken ahead Chandler Stephenson, a two-time Stanley Cup winner. “And you may say all you need and no matter, however I imply, you simply bought to do it. I believe that is type of the largest factor proper now.”
The Kraken have been in Monday’s sport till the ultimate 75 seconds, when the Wild scored a pair of empty-net targets in fast succession.
“You have to discover methods to win,” stated Kraken captain Jordan Eberle, who scored his team-leading ninth purpose of the season. “You’ll be able to say we’re working laborious, competing, however we have to discover somewhat bit extra from each single man.
“I’ve stated this earlier than — I believe the road between profitable and shedding is so skinny. I imply, clearly, we have misplaced six in a row. … It’s important to understand somewhat bit right here places you over that edge and also you begin profitable once more.”
Backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer stopped 25 of 27 pictures for the Kraken however suffered his first regulation defeat of the season (4-1-1).
At the least the Kraken’s league-worst penalty kill (66.2%) did not enable a purpose and Eberle scored with the person benefit to tie the sport within the second interval.
“We received the so-called particular groups battle, which we’ve not executed for somewhat bit right here,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert stated. “So, it is a step in the proper route and undoubtedly a optimistic from that standpoint.”
Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak was a wholesome scratch for a second consecutive sport, one thing he had by no means endured since being chosen within the 2021 growth draft.
The Kings are coming off a 4-2 victory Monday over the Utah Mammoth in Salt Lake Metropolis.
Joel Armia tallied twice, Adrian Kempe had a purpose and an help and captain Anze Kopitar additionally scored for the Kings, who had snapped a two-game shedding streak Saturday with a 6-0 victory towards visiting Chicago.
“I believe after that sport on Saturday, you are available right here (to Utah) and be ok with your sport,” stated Kempe, who leads the Kings with 26 factors and shares the staff lead of 10 targets with Kevin Fiala.
“Clearly, you do not anticipate to exit and rating six each sport, however we type of saved it going within the first interval, had two targets, after which it was a troublesome sport from there on.”
Los Angeles is taking part in its attribute model of stingy protection underneath coach Jim Hiller.
Solely the Colorado Avalanche and Washington Capitals enable fewer targets on a per-game foundation, placing the Kings on tempo to put within the high three within the class for a 3rd straight season.
The outbursts towards Chicago and Utah propelled the Kings to twenty seventh in scoring. Earlier than these wins, they buried a complete of 20 targets throughout their earlier 10 video games.
Goalie Darcy Kuemper has made 4 straight begins for the Kings. He denied 19 of 21 pictures towards the Mammoth to enhance to 10-6-5 with a .914 save share.
–Area Stage Media
