As we have declared on the Sound Of Hockey Podcast, loser points are no longer helpful for the Seattle Kraken, who are firmly out of contention. We’re fine with wins, and we’re fine with regulation losses; wins bring good feelings and help build a winning culture for next season, while regulation losses improve Seattle’s chances of winning the draft lottery. Loser points do neither of those things.

Still, the Kraken deserve commendation for their effort on Sunday, going toe-to-toe with the NHL’s best team. It was their fifth straight game since the NHL Trade Deadline in which one could argue they delivered a strong performance.

With the overtime loss, the Kraken ended the season series 0-1-2 against Winnipeg. “They’re the best team in the league with their record, and each one of the games we’ve played them [this season], two in overtime and one with a goal [against] in the last minute, and they beat us with that,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “They’re a benchmark team right now, and… we’re right there with them.”

Here are three takeaways from a hard-fought 3-2 Kraken overtime loss to the Jets.

Takeaway #1: Jani Nyman strikes again

Jani Nyman may have legitimately set himself up for a full-time Kraken roster spot next season with how he has performed in his first NHL stint. He became the second Seattle player ever to score in two of his first three games (Matty Beniers was the first) after another pretty power-play dish by Jordan Eberle, who also assisted on Nyman’s first goal in his NHL debut.

HELLO, NYMAN! 🚨

Just like on his first career goal, it’s a PPG set up by Eberle.

Two goals in three career games for Li’l Jani.

1-0 #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/6CoFd0VwiV

— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 17, 2025

Nyman also picked off a Dylan DeMelo pass at the midway point of the third period and just missed scoring what could have been a critical go-ahead goal.

“We’ve clearly got a good picture of what he can do and what he can be,” Bylsma said. “It’s not just the shot on the power play that we’ve seen a couple times. He had some good time in the offensive zone with the puck, getting over it, making plays. His line had another real good shift there in the second, maybe our best in the second, with chances in the offensive zone. So really good to see from him in another game.”

Nyman’s lethal shot got Seattle off on the right foot with a 1-0 lead at 9:58 of the first period, and Mikey Eyssimont followed that up by looking off Tye Kartye on a 2-on-1 and slipping a hard shot through Eric Comrie’s five-hole at 15:23.

Despite the goals, I would still guess Nyman’s call-up won’t last too much longer. This was always meant to be a short stint to reward him for an outstanding AHL season and see if he’s getting close to ready for the next level. I think he earned himself a couple extra games with his performances, and as Seattle heads out on a road trip, it may make sense to return Nyman to Coachella Valley now, where he can continue helping the Firebirds on their march toward the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Takeaway #2: Another tough night for Ryker Evans

When the Seattle Kraken faced the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday, they also had a two-goal lead in the second period. The gap was narrowed with a power-play goal by Patrik Laine, but then Alex Newhook and Juraj Slafkovsky each scored three minutes apart to give Montreal the lead. On both of those goals, Ryker Evans could have done things differently to help prevent the Canadiens from scoring.

Evans was then a healthy scratch against the Utah Hockey Club, and Bylsma said after morning skate on Sunday that he “didn’t think [the Montreal game] was the strongest game from Ryker,” which explained why he didn’t play on Friday.

The 23-year-old defenseman was back in the lineup Sunday and had the primary assist on Eyssimont’s goal. But he also appeared to be the one who lost his check on Cole Perfetti when he found a rebound and banged it into an open net behind Joey Daccord with just 17 seconds left in the first period, a critical goal to allow heading into the first intermission.

D’oh!

Bad time to give up a goal at the very end of an otherwise fantastic 1st period.

Perfetti bangs home a rebound to get the Jets on the board.

2-1 #SeaKraken through 20. SEA goals by Nyman and Eyssimont. pic.twitter.com/EKjekMOYqL

— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 17, 2025

Evans also shot into a block, then didn’t retreat fast enough to mark the very dangerous Kyle Connor, as the Jets star scorer saw an opportunity and flew the zone. Connor raced in on a breakaway and tied the game at 11:42 of the second.

2-2.

Kyle Connor gets behind Ryker Evans for a breakaway. #GoJetsGo #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/FnZTRgwXFF

— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 17, 2025

When asked post-game about Evans’ performance, Bylsma said, “I want to reserve comment on that one,” before giving several comments about it. “Like for every player, there’s some plays in the game that you do well, and some plays you want back.”

Evans is a young, still-developing player in his first full NHL season. It is normal to go through growing pains, as well as have challenging stretches of games that can rattle the confidence. He’ll find that confidence again soon.

Takeaway #3: Brandon Tanev brings shenanigans in return

Brandon Tanev made his return to Climate Pledge Arena just nine days after being traded to the Jets at the NHL Trade Deadline. Always a hard-nosed player, Tanev seemed extra intent on making his presence known physically in this one and even got himself into some extracurricular activities with some of his former teammates.

Six minutes into the game, Tanev took a big run at Shane Wright and sent him flying headfirst into the boards. Tye Kartye went right after Tanev, and lots of pushing, shoving, and punching ensued, though nobody ever dropped the gloves.

Whoa! 🤯 Brandon Tanev with a questionable hit on Shane Wright, and Tye Kartye goes RIGHT AFTER Tanev.

I guess Turbo is no longer a #SeaKraken! pic.twitter.com/8l5Frienv4

— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) March 17, 2025

Oddly, after quickly making himself the villain for several members of the home crowd, Tanev was then honored by the Kraken and welcomed back with a video tribute that got a nice ovation.

Bylsma said he was unsurprised by Tanev making a heavy hit on Wright. “I think that’s what Brandon provided the last four years is that energy and speed, physicality, and tenacity. And so I think we all expected it, because that’s what he brings each and every night to his game, that’s what makes him an effective player.”

The Kraken coach added that he liked the way his players were immediately “sticking their jerseys together” to stand up to Tanev but also gave some advice to Wright for the next time Tanev is on the ice with the opposing team: “Heads up, Wrighter… He probably should have heard me yelling.”