Kraken Need One More Goal When It Matters

Recent blown leads by the Kraken have less to do with porous defense and are more about an inability to add on to early scoring, a fixable issue they must quickly overcome if they want to extend this playoff push.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game scene, with overlapping planes of muted blues, greens, and grays conveying the Kraken's struggle to close out games when holding an early lead.The Kraken's inability to add a crucial third goal when holding a lead has stalled their unexpected playoff push.Today in Nashville

The Kraken have struggled to hold onto multi-goal leads in recent games, losing to Nashville, Buffalo, and Utah after taking early 2-0 advantages. The issue isn't their defense, but rather an inability to add a crucial third goal when they have the lead. The team's record shows they are much more successful when they score 4 or more goals compared to just 2 or fewer, highlighting their need to find that extra scoring touch to close out games.

Why it matters

The Kraken's unexpected playoff push has slowed due to their inability to build on early leads. If they can't find a way to reliably score that third goal when they have the advantage, it could jeopardize their postseason hopes. Overcoming this scoring challenge is a fixable issue that the team must address quickly.

The details

The Kraken were 24-0-0 this season when taking a multi-goal lead until recently losing three such games in a 23-day span. In those losses to Nashville, Buffalo, and Utah, the Kraken scored just the initial 2 goals they began the game with, unable to add an insurance tally. In contrast, they were able to hold on and beat Tampa Bay 4-3 in overtime after building a 3-1 lead. The common thread is that the Kraken scored 4 goals in the Tampa Bay game, while only managing 2 in the losses. Their record shows they are 20-1-2 when scoring 4 or more, but just 2-24-7 when held to 2 goals or fewer, highlighting their need for that extra scoring punch.

  • On March 10, the Kraken lost 3-2 to Nashville after taking a 2-0 lead.
  • On March 25, the Kraken lost 3-2 in a shootout to Buffalo after leading 2-0.
  • On March 30, the Kraken lost 6-2 to Utah after going up 2-0.

The players

Matty Beniers

Kraken alternate captain who discussed the team's need to bear down and get to the net for second chance opportunities when their offense is struggling.

Berkly Catton

19-year-old Kraken player who discussed how a scoring drought can make a player start to doubt whether the puck will go in when they shoot.

Jordan Eberle

Kraken player who scored early in the loss to Utah but expressed disappointment in the team's inability to build on the lead.

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What they’re saying

“You've just got to bear down sometimes. Everyone wants to score, but you've got to hit the net. You've got to do those little things and get around the net, be there for the rebound. Second chance pucks. Tonight, it didn't go in and that's frustrating. But you've just got to keep going.”

— Matty Beniers, Kraken alternate captain

“When you're in a drought like that, you start to think the puck's not going to go in when you shoot it. You think it's going to hit something while it's on its way in and stay out.”

— Berkly Catton, Kraken player

“It's disappointing. The point of the season where we're at, it's frustrating. You're trying to fight for your lives and you're getting beat and run out of your own rink. It's just disappointing.”

— Jordan Eberle, Kraken player

What’s next

The Kraken held a team meeting after the loss to Utah to address their scoring struggles. They will need to quickly find a way to reliably net that crucial third goal when holding a lead in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.

The takeaway

The Kraken's recent struggles to hold multi-goal leads are not due to defensive lapses, but rather an inability to add on to early scoring. If they can't find a way to consistently score that third goal when they have the advantage, it could derail their unexpected playoff push. Overcoming this mental block around finishing off games is a fixable issue the team must address urgently.