The Seattle Kraken concluded a challenging stretch by defeating the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime on December 6, 2023, at Climate Pledge Arena. Matty Beniers scored a crucial tying goal with just 25.3 seconds left in regulation, forcing the game into extra time. Vince Dunn clinched the victory with a power-play goal during a 4-on-3 advantage, marking the Kraken’s first win since before Thanksgiving.
The Kraken, now standing at 12-10-6, had struggled significantly prior to this game. They faced a six-game winless streak, including five consecutive losses in regulation and a shootout defeat against the New York Islanders on November 23. The team has been grappling with issues on special teams, with all five goals scored in Wednesday’s matchup coming from power plays.
Beniers’ late equalizer came as the team pulled goaltender Joey Daccord for an extra attacker. Earlier in the game, the Kraken had shown defensive resilience, particularly during a precarious stretch when defenseman Ryker Evans received a double minor for high-sticking. This opened the door for the Kings, who capitalized on the power play with Kevin Fiala scoring with just 5:20 remaining in regulation to push the score to 2-1.
The Kraken’s penalty kill, which has struggled throughout the season with a league-worst rate of 66.2%, managed to hold off the Kings for most of the game. Coach Lane Lambert acknowledged the need for adjustments, stating, “We’re simplifying some of the reads for our forwards.”
Despite the challenges, the Kraken’s power play did come alive when Jared McCann scored during a brief 5-on-3 advantage, showcasing their ability to capitalize on opportunities. McCann returned to the lineup after an injury hiatus and quickly made an impact, netting his second goal in six games since his return.
As the game progressed, the atmosphere at Climate Pledge Arena was electric, partly due to the presence of the Kraken’s annual “dad trip,” where players’ fathers and mentors attended the game. This tradition added a personal touch to the evening, perhaps fueling the team’s determination to break their losing streak.
The first period included an amusing moment when Kings’ forward Warren Foegele lost his stick and, in an attempt to help his team, inadvertently became a hindrance. A shot from Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak struck Foegele’s skate blade, leaving him to scramble back to the bench without a stick or functioning skate.
The Kraken’s goal-scoring woes have been evident throughout the season. They entered this match tied with the Calgary Flames for the fewest goals per game in the league at 2.48. The absence of key player Jaden Schwartz, who is sidelined for six weeks, has compounded these struggles. Schwartz is expected to return in early to mid-January, which could provide a significant boost to the team’s scoring capabilities.
Despite their issues, the Kraken displayed moments of promise. Throughout the game, they generated several close chances, including attempts from Kaapo Kakko and Shane Wright, but lacked the finishing touch to convert those opportunities into goals. Additionally, Jordan Eberle came close to scoring his tenth goal of the season, but ultimately could not find the back of the net.
With the win, the Kraken have a chance to build momentum as they prepare for their upcoming game against the Utah Mammoth on December 8. The team will fly to Salt Lake City on Thursday, looking to carry the energy from this hard-fought victory into their next matchup. As they continue to navigate the challenges of the season, the Kraken will need to improve their offensive production and maintain their defensive discipline to achieve consistent success.
