The Seattle Kraken just wrapped up their homestand with the kind of statement win that turns heads and builds belief. Their 5-2 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs wasn’t just another two points-it was a loud, confident exclamation mark on a stretch that saw them take eight of a possible 12 points. That’s how you flip a potentially tough stretch into momentum, and now the Kraken are riding a three-game win streak and four wins in their last five as they hit the road for a crucial three-game swing against Pacific Division playoff contenders, starting in Vegas on Saturday.
As of now, Seattle sits third in the Pacific Division by win percentage. That’s not a fluke-it’s a product of consistency, timely scoring, and a team-wide buy-in that’s showing up in every zone.
A Complete Performance, Start to Finish
Thursday night’s win was a checklist of what good teams do when it matters. Score first?
Check. Build a multi-goal lead heading into the third?
Check. Respond when the opponent pushes back?
Absolutely. Shane Wright’s second goal of the night came just minutes after a Toronto power-play goal had made it a one-goal game.
That tally, which Wright buried off a turnover forced by Brandon Montour, pushed the lead back to two and effectively sealed it. Jared McCann added the empty-netter late, and for the first time in franchise history, the Kraken beat the Maple Leafs at Climate Pledge Arena.
Joey Daccord was strong in net again, continuing a run of solid goaltending that’s been shared between him and Philipp Grubauer. And the crowd?
Electric. You could feel the playoff energy in the building.
“We know the race we’re in,” said Freddy Gaudreau, who helped set up the game-winner and has quickly become a key piece since arriving this summer. “No matter what happened the game before, we’ve been taking it one at a time. That mindset-that resiliency-is what’s helping us push through tough games and stay grounded after big wins.”
The Wright Stuff and a Defensive Surge
Seattle’s been finding a rhythm offensively, and part of that is thanks to a growing trend: quick-strike goals. After Matty Beniers and Berkly Catton scored 17 seconds apart earlier this week against New Jersey, the Kraken did it again Thursday. This time, it was Shane Wright and Brandon Montour lighting the lamp just 31 seconds apart in the second period to turn a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 lead.
Wright’s first goal was a textbook example of positioning and poise. After Adam Larsson worked the puck up the boards and Jaden Schwartz fired a shot on net, Wright was right where he needed to be-stationed in the slot, ready for the rebound. He backhanded it home for his eighth of the season.
It’s worth noting Schwartz gutted it out after taking a knee-on-knee hit in the first period. He left the ice twice but returned to finish the game.
Head coach Lane Lambert praised his leadership, saying, “I can’t say enough about his veteran leadership.” That’s the kind of presence that doesn’t show up on the scoresheet but makes a difference in the room.
Wright’s second goal came in the third period, a forehand finish after a turnover, and it was a big one. Coaches have been on him to shoot more, and he’s listening.
“For sure, the coaches are always telling me, shoot a little more,” Wright said postgame. “I think I can always put a few more pucks on net. It was nice to get a couple there.”
Montour’s goal, just half a minute after Wright’s first, was the result of a strong rush led by Gaudreau. The veteran center carried the puck nearly the full length of the ice before dishing wide to Montour, who jumped into the play and snapped a low shot past Anthony Stolarz. It was a smart, decisive finish-and another reminder of Montour’s offensive upside from the blue line.
“Freddy’s been outstanding for us,” Lambert said. “He does so many things.
He’s got this deceptive ability through the neutral zone that’s really unique. That was a great play by him, and Monty did a great job driving wide and finishing.”
Beniers and McCann: January Heat Check
Matty Beniers and Jared McCann are lighting it up right now. With one game left in January, they’ve already set franchise records-Beniers with 10 goals in a single month, and McCann with 19 points. That’s elite-level production, and it’s come at the perfect time.
Beniers opened the scoring just 81 seconds into the game on a play that was all about chemistry. Jordan Eberle carried the puck through the neutral zone and fed McCann, who tried a give-and-go that got blocked.
But McCann stuck with it, the puck bounced back to him, and he found Beniers cutting through the slot. Quick release, back of the net.
That line-Beniers, McCann, and Eberle-has been back together for five games, and they’ve combined for nine goals and nine assists in that span. That’s the kind of top-line production that can carry a team in tight playoff races.
McCann added the empty-netter to tie Beniers with 10 goals in the month. He’s now riding a five-game stretch with five goals and four assists. When he’s on, his combination of speed, shot accuracy, and hockey sense makes him one of the most dangerous wingers in the conference.
Injury Concerns and Defensive Grit
One cloud over the win was the early exit of rookie Berkly Catton, who took a hard but clean hip check to the head in the first period and didn’t return. Lambert had no update postgame, and the team will be hoping it’s not a long-term issue. Catton’s been a sparkplug and had just come off a big performance against New Jersey.
Toronto’s lone bright spot came in the first period when Nick Robertson capitalized on a defensive miscue and fired a long-range shot through traffic that beat Daccord. It didn’t look like the Kraken goalie saw the puck until it was too late, but he bounced back strong, turning away five high-danger chances in the first period alone, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Looking Ahead
This homestand could’ve gone sideways. Instead, the Kraken turned it into a springboard.
They’re playing fast, smart hockey, getting contributions up and down the lineup, and their goaltending is holding strong. With a Pacific Division road trip looming, they’ve put themselves right in the thick of the playoff race.
If this version of the Kraken shows up consistently, the rest of the West better be paying attention.