Kraken Playoff Chase
Every day brings a shuffle in the Western Conference standings and the playoff race. With their 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Monday afternoon, the Kraken sit three points behind the 2nd wild card St. Louis Blues, 57 points to 60.
Between the two clubs one will find the Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators, both with 58 points. Like the Kraken, the Calgary Flames have 57 points.
That’s five hockey teams within three points of one another, within three points of a playoff spot.
With that reality in mind, everything fighting for the same thing, we can turn our attention to the schedule. For Seattle it’s not easy.
A Tough Run
Despite the opportunity to enjoy some “home cookin'” for the next couple of weeks, the residency at Climate Pledge Arena isn’t an easy one.
The first place Pacific Division Canucks come to town on Thursday night. One advantage Seattle might have is that Vancouver will be playing its third game in four nights, coming off a bizarre 10-7 loss in Minnesota to the Wild on Monday, followed by a Tuesday game on the road against the Colorado Avalanche.
The red hot Wild are in town Saturday, followed by what should be an ornery Boston Bruins club on Monday night looking for revenge. The Kraken beat the Bruins at TD Garden for the 2nd year in a row last Thursday 4-1. Last season Boston won their February visit to Seattle 6-5.
The Kraken then host the Pittsburgh Penguins next Thursday and then the Edmonton Oilers two nights after that. Seattle can’t seem to do much against Connor McDavid’s bunch.
Considering 94 or 95 points is the target to gain the postseason in the west, the Kraken will need to win at least three of these next five to stay on that pace.
They’ll need to bring everything they have to get it started against their northern neighbors and closest rival in two nights.
Recent:
— Simmer’s Sunday 9: Kraken Healthy, Beniers Tumble, Red Wings Skate
— Kraken’s Daccord Says ‘Not So Fast Grubauer’
