In Columbus, the Kraken faced a tough night, falling 5-2 to the Blue Jackets. It was a game that highlighted the urgency needed as they chase a playoff spot.
Veteran defenseman Brandon Montour, who knows a thing or two about postseason intensity, expressed his frustration post-game. The Kraken have now dropped nine of their last 13 games since the Winter Olympic break, managing only 17 shots and two goals from Vince Dunn and Kaapo Kakko after falling behind early.
Montour didn't mince words, emphasizing the need for more desperation. "We can make plays," he stated.
"We’ve shown it. But we need more desperation.
They wanted it more."
The Blue Jackets set the tone early with first-period goals from Danton Heinen, Damon Severson, and Mathieu Olivier, putting the Kraken on the back foot. Dunn responded with a slap shot past Elvis Merzlikins, but the momentum was hard to sustain.
Kakko's goal in the second period offered a glimmer of hope, cutting the deficit to 3-2. However, an odd-man rush led to Kent Johnson restoring the Blue Jackets' multi-goal lead, and the Kraken couldn't recover. Cole Sillinger sealed the deal with an empty-netter.
Offensively, the Kraken struggled, managing just five shots in each of the final two periods. They were hoping for a spark with Eeli Tolvanen's return, but Jared McCann's last-minute scratch due to injury added to their woes.
Despite the loss, the Kraken remain in the playoff hunt, just two points behind the Predators and one behind the Kings for the final Western Conference spot. They're also five points behind Vegas for third place in the Pacific Division, with a game in hand and one more matchup against the Golden Knights. Securing that third spot would mean avoiding a first-round clash with one of the Central Division powerhouses.
Montour stressed the importance of getting pucks to the net and battling in the dirty areas, noting that’s where today’s goals are scored. The Blue Jackets' goals were prime examples, coming from point shots and net-front scrambles.
Kakko echoed these sentiments, pointing out the team's struggles in transitioning through the neutral zone. "We didn’t even get to the offensive zone that much," he said. "They played more in the offensive zone, and that’s why they won."
Coach Lane Lambert wasn't pleased with the performance of his fourth line, which conceded three times in the opening period. He noted the need for more from players like Jani Nyman, Ben Meyers, and Jacob Melanson. McCann's last-minute injury forced Nyman into the lineup, highlighting the challenges faced.
Lambert acknowledged that while the team had moments of getting players to the net, they missed opportunities to shoot. "Somewhere, the disconnect has to get connected fast," he remarked.
Montour summed it up best, recognizing the need for even greater desperation. "We know what needs to happen.
We’ve got to keep working on it. We’re a desperate team, but we need to be even more desperate now."