SEATTLE — On a night that began with a four‑game skid hanging over them, the Seattle Kraken reminded the NHL what they’re capable of when everything clicks. Wednesday at Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle crushed the New York Islanders 4–1, snapping its slide and handing one of the league’s more inconsistent teams a stern lesson.
The Islanders struck first, as Anthony Duclair bagged a power‑play goal just 2:38 into the first period to extend a hot run of production. But that would be as close as New York got. The Kraken answered back with four unanswered tallies, paced by a balanced attack that saw Matty Beniers, Vince Dunn, Kaapo Kakko and Jared McCann all contribute. Dunn and McCann each finished with a goal and an assist, while Philipp Grubauer made 24 saves to keep Seattle in control for good.
Seattle’s depth showed early when Beniers deflected a five‑on‑three power‑play goal — a momentum swing that erased the early deficit and turned the tide. Dunn’s wrist shot early in the second period gave the Kraken the lead for good, and Kakko followed with a key goal later in the frame. McCann added an empty‑netter to seal it.
This win didn’t just stop the skid — it came against a club that’s leaned heavily on star power this season, a team capable of beating anyone but equally capable of disappearing at the worst times. New York’s inability to sustain pressure — converting only one of seven man‑advantage chances — highlighted a recurring problem for a roster that plays up and down to the competition way too much. Seattle, on the other hand, brought structure, urgency and finish.
For the Kraken, the victory feels like a reset. The balanced scoring and stout goaltending showed a team that hasn’t lost its identity despite recent struggles. Head coach Lane Lambert shuffled lines and defensive pairs, and the adjustments paid off.
On the flip side, the Islanders now head home to regroup after a 7‑game road trip finished at 3‑3‑1, a result that feels exactly like New York’s season — promising at times, maddening at others. It’s one thing to beat the elite; it’s another to not lose big to the less heralded. This was the latter.
Seattle’s balanced attack, timely special teams, and clutch goaltending were the story Wednesday night — and no amount of early success for New York could blot out a performance that felt like the Kraken quietly reminding the league they’re a threat when they lock in. As for the Islanders, maybe consistency will be the story they chase next.
