The Kraken lost 5-1 in St. Louis against the Blues on Thursday night, one evening after losing to the Stars in Dallas 4-1. Obviously, being outscored 9-2 coming out of the NHL’s Winter Olympic break is not the optimum result for Seattle.

The lack of offense is a familiar characteristic for this club. Their 2.84 goals-for per game is 25th best in the 32-team league. Yes, they are stingy at the other end, giving up just 2.89 goals-per-game, good for 11th best, but at this time of year, and also coming out of the break when things can be a bit loosey-goosey for a week or two, creating offense and finishing opportunities is key.

Unlike Wednesday night in Dallas, when the Stars, en route to their seventh straight win, buried the Kraken with a 4-0 lead after two periods, Seattle was in the game against the non-playoff Blues one night later.

After Kaapo Kakko, fresh off a bronze medal winning performance with Finland in Italy, tied the game 1-1 at the 12:32 mark of the first period with his seventh goal of the seas0n, the Kraken had high hopes.

Instead, St. Louis had Seattle singing the blues when Jordan Kyrou scored just 1:12 into the second period and Dylan Holloway scored the first goal of his eventual hat trick just 23-seconds later. Game over.

Seattle went 0-for-7 on the power play over the two nights; 0-for-4 then 0-for-3. Dallas went 1-for-3, while the Blues never saw a man advantage.

With the two losses, coupled with the Nashville Predators winning at home against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night, things became a bit tighter in the western playoff race. The Kraken rest in the 2nd and final wild card position in the Western Conference, just two points ahead of those Pred’s.

At the time of posting, the LA Kings and the San Jose Sharks, two more teams hot on Seattle’s heels, were still in action.

Regardless, it’s starting to look like there will be at least two teams with a negative goal differential making the postseason in the west. That’s a rare occurrence, and a clear indication of the lack of depth in the west compared to the Eastern Conference.

The Kraken host the last place Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.

Earlier Kraken:

— Did Finish Kraken Get Screwed?

Earlier Canucks:

— Canucks Olympic Break: Jim Robson, Trade Talks, Playoff Picture