Chandler Stephenson Ready to Bounce Back Against Tampa After Shootout Heartbreak
The Kraken are still licking their wounds after that brutal shootout loss to Florida on Tuesday night, and now they're turning their attention to Thursday's matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Forward Chandler Stephenson spoke to the media ahead of the game, and you could feel the urgency in the room. Seattle dropped a 5-4 shootout decision to the Panthers, and they need to shake that off fast if they want to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Fresh Off a Tough One in Sunrise
The loss to Florida was the kind that stings. Matty Beniers, Bobby McMann, Jordan Eberle, and Scott Evans all found the back of the net, but it still wasn't enough. Going to a shootout and coming up short is never easy, especially when you're fighting for positioning down the stretch. The team has been down in Florida for a couple of days now, and you know they've had plenty of time to think about what went wrong.
Stephenson Steps Up to the Mic
Stephenson met with reporters Thursday morning to preview the Lightning matchup. This is the kind of spot where the Kraken need their guys to lock in mentally and move forward. One loss doesn't define a season, but three points in the standings matters when every game counts toward the playoff picture. The forward knows what's at stake, and so does everybody else in the Emerald City.
Moving On to Tampa
The Kraken have to put Tuesday behind them and refocus. Tampa isn't going to give them anything easy, but that's playoff hockey. Captain Jordan Eberle scored in the Florida game, and the team showed they can put pucks in the net. The question now is whether they can tighten up their overall game and bounce back with a win. One game at a time, that's how you build momentum.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.