Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images

Sir Dennis Green, I allow you the floor to describe the Edmonton Oilers and also the Seattle Kraken.

Here is what I have to call Highlights

Game Notes

The TOI Leader for Seattle was Vince Dunn, who logged 22:01 TOI tonight.

The Oilers are exactly who we thought they were. They let up chances, they let up shots, but they also have enough depth that’s geared to do exactly the one thing that’s conducive to winning hockey games that, if you show up less than ready, you will get burned at the stake. The Kraken are also who we thought they were; they barely control possession and get a bunch of saves. They need momentum as soon as the game starts, because if they don’t have that, they will spend an inordinate amount of time in their own end, and then stuff goes haywire.

The worst part? The Kraken tried! They ended up having a pretty solid 2nd period effort! But starting flat like they did put them so behind the curve that it didn’t matter. The Oilers, the Oilers of all teams, were able to turtle up and get a shutout win for a player that is recording an .898 on the year. That is just unconscionable.

Special Teams is also failing this team badly. The Kraken power play had three chances and could not find even one goal to build off of. At least the PK didn’t make it worse.

Philipp Grubauer finished his night with a .913 SV%, of which one goal went in off a deflection, and the other went off a bit of unforgivable puck security that sprung Kasperi Kapanen for a goal. Maybe he could’ve had that one, but it’s not like he was the reason that play even developed.

The Kraken could rip off a 7-2 final for the year and still miss the playoffs due to losing a game like this. That’s absolutely soul-deflating. Speaking of which…

Thanks to this loss, the Kraken are now at the whims of several teams that have ripped off some big wins lately. The Jets need to start losing games, the Preds need to continue to lose games, the Kings need to figure out how to lose to St. Louis in freefall, the Sharks are charging up the standings…Seattle was in a golden position to maybe make a little room for themselves, and are now rapidly drowning.

Was there anything good about this game?

If you wanted fans to get a cold glass of water thrown at them regarding the Kraken’s playoff hopes? This was the game for you, buddy.

Otherwise, they’re still looking down the barrel of that #9 pick unless the lottery goes in their favor.

The Chartz, via NaturalStatTrick.com

Wasting an effort like this feels like someone should have to face charges for it.

The Kraken finally get home to take on Utah on Thursday night at Climate Pledge. That game is at 7pm PST.

We’ll see you there.

Keep Calm, and Post Zoidberg When We Win.