Kraken Close Out Homestand with Convincing Win Over Maple Leafs, Sweep Season Series
The Seattle Kraken wrapped up their six-game homestand in style Thursday night, taking down the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 and completing a season sweep in the process. It was a game that showcased the Kraken’s top-line firepower, emerging young talent, and a team-wide resilience that’s starting to define their season.
Seattle had already edged out Toronto in a 4-3 overtime thriller back in October. This time around, they left no need for extra time. After jumping out to an early lead, the Kraken weathered a late first-period equalizer before taking full control in the second and never looking back.
First Line Sets the Tone - and the Records
From the opening puck drop, Seattle’s top line wasted no time making their presence felt. Just over a minute into the game, Jordan Eberle carried the puck through the neutral zone and dished it to Jared McCann, who skated it into the offensive zone before finding Matty Beniers with a crisp pass between the faceoff circles. Beniers didn’t miss, firing a shot over Anthony Stolarz’s pad to open the scoring - and etch his name into the team’s history books.
That goal marked Beniers’ 10th of the month, setting a new franchise record for goals scored in a single month. And he wasn’t the only one making history.
McCann’s assist gave him his 18th point of January, another Kraken monthly record. And he wasn’t done yet - McCann would later add an empty-netter to push that total to 19, further cementing his red-hot January.
What’s especially impressive? McCann entered the month with just nine points on the season.
This has been his first full month of action after battling through injuries earlier in the year, and he’s made every shift count. With one game still to play in January, both he and Beniers have a shot to extend their records - but even if they don’t, their impact has been massive.
Seattle’s top line has been clicking all season, but this month they’ve taken it to another level. The chemistry, the pace, the finishing - it’s all there. And if they keep this up, the Kraken could be a real handful down the stretch.
Shane Wright Steps Up with First Multi-Goal Game
It wasn’t just the top line doing damage. Shane Wright turned in one of his most complete performances of the season, scoring twice and logging his highest ice time of the month at 15:41.
His first came in the second period, when Jaden Schwartz fired a shot from the blue line that Stolarz turned aside - but Wright was right there in front of the net to bury the rebound and restore Seattle’s lead.
Then, early in the third, after Toronto had cut the lead to one with a power-play tally, Wright responded with authority. Brandon Montour kicked the puck out to him in the defensive zone, and Wright took it coast-to-coast, finishing the play with a confident shot to make it 4-2.
This marked Wright’s first multi-goal game of the season and his second multi-point night. As trade rumors continue to swirl around the 20-year-old center, this performance was a timely reminder of the upside he brings. He looked poised, aggressive, and opportunistic - all the things you want to see from a young forward trying to carve out a bigger role.
Lindgren’s Tough Bounce, But Team Picks Him Up
Not everything went smoothly for Seattle. Defenseman Ryan Lindgren had another tough moment in the first period when a shot from Nicholas Robertson deflected off his skate and into the net, tying the game at 1-1. It’s the kind of unfortunate bounce that’s plagued Lindgren at times this season, adding to a handful of costly penalties and misplays.
But what stood out was how the team responded. Instead of letting the mistake linger, the Kraken tightened up defensively and leaned on their depth to take control. That’s the mark of a team that’s learning how to win - not just when things go right, but when they don’t.
Looking Ahead: Final January Test on the Road
With the win, Seattle finishes their six-game homestand on a high note and improves their standing in a tightly contested Western Conference race. They’ll now head to Vegas for one final game in January, a showdown with the Golden Knights that will cap off a grueling 17-game stretch.
If the Kraken bring the same energy, execution, and offensive punch they showed against Toronto, they’ll be in good shape. And with McCann and Beniers rewriting the franchise record books, and Wright finding his rhythm, this team is starting to look more and more like a playoff contender with every game.