Mar 28, 2026; Buffalo, New York, USA; Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) makes a save during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

They got half the result they needed but also a loss they needed elsewhere.

It’s just a shame it couldn’t have been two points.

But first, the Highlights:

Game Notes

Your TOI Leader was Brandon Montour, with 26:25 logged.

This was one of the Kraken’s better games of the post-olympic break by far. Even if it was a loss. While they once again started slow, the Kraken drew a penalty early and used the momentum of that to put the Sabres on their heels for a good portion of the first, a good portion of the second, and a little bit of the third. They held a lead on this Eventually Eastern Conference-leading team and honestly played them pretty damn well all night. But again…the Sabres got a lucky break. One bad pinch and a dumb turnover it was all it really took for this team full of extremely talented young players to get right back in it. To Seattle’s credit, they didn’t blow it entirely…but games like these where the skillz competition is the deciding factor highlighted in no uncertain terms that the Kraken really need to win these games before it gets there. There’s a kind of player the Sabres have that Seattle has like…maybe a couple of, and that isn’t enough.

I get Kaapo Kakko going to the Skillz Comp. He’s been able to put some crazy shots through and to his credit he had everything but the elevation to beat Luukkonen. That was fine. Frederick Gaudreau with his 20%? Sure. Fine. But you shouldn’t be in a position where he is in your top three of shootout percentage.

This damn penalty kill and it’s mercurial nature was a major difference maker in the worst way, as the Sabres got one on the man-advantage. Seattle’s power play meanwhile, played way too far out onto the boards and frankly seemed to struggle with the sheer amount of ice they actually had to work with. The Sabres may have a decent PK, but they had help from a very poor effort in passing and especially following up on 2nd chance opportunities. That’s gotta improve.

Maybe Bobby McMann should’ve always been a Kraken player. He clearly adores playing in Deep Blue.

Shane Wright got brained on a hit by Logan Stanley and was avenged by Jamie Oleksiak having to untangle himself to properly put the hammers to Stanley’s head. Wright meanwhile, went to the room; hopefully just as a precaution, and didn’t return to the game afterwards. Let’s hope he’s okay for the final few games of the regular season.

This was an excellent game for Philipp Grubauer and it’s absolutely disgraceful he didn’t get some kind of nod for the .944 SV% he logged on 36 shots from the three stars. As for the shootout…well, don’t be in that situation in the first place. The Sabres are undefeated in the skillz comp this year and deserve to be!

Playoff Hopes Corner

The Kraken got a little bit of help tonight with the Kings and Preds losing on the same night while they picked up a point. The other point would’ve been a lot more helpful, but they’ll take what they can get. Seattle’s schedule doesn’t really let up until April 4th: They play the Mammoth and the Oilers, then finally a little bit of a reprieve with the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the Kings get St. Louis and Nashville, and Nashville gets Tampa and LA.

As for who you’d want to win that LA/Nashville game? Well, hopefully this game sparks the Kraken to lock in and beat Edmonton and peel at least a point off of Utah.

Was there anything good about this game?

Absolutely!

Chandler Stephenson scored the opening goal of the game in an awesome follow-up chance that the Kraken ought to be doing way more of!

Bobby McMann remains an unstoppable force of goalscoring. He got another goal tonight; his 3rd in 3 games! Also had an assist on Stephenson’s goal!

Kaapo Kakko was an engine of offense tonight, getting two primary assists on Seattle’s goals!

Philipp Grubauer had a .944 SV%, which is notably better than Ukko-Pekka Luukkonnen had, but UPL got the win so he gets the glory, I guess. Cool. Fine.

Chartz, via NaturalStatTrick.com

The Kraken have had enough of the East, and are now heading out to face the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, that game drops the puck at 6pm.

We’ll see you then, and as always

Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win.