Kraken Stormed Back From Three Down, Then Got Crushed In The Shootout
This one stings. Down three goals with less than eight minutes left on Tuesday night in Florida, the Kraken absolutely found their urgency and clawed all the way back to tie it up. Then they lost in the shootout anyway. That's the kind of game that either fires you up or deflates you, and honestly, it felt like both.
Matty Beniers got things rolling, then Jordan Eberle and Bobby McMann each scored on unassisted breakaways just 14 seconds apart. The energy shift was real. You could feel it. But here's the thing: even though they forced overtime and a shootout against a Florida team that isn't even fighting for a playoff spot anymore, they still couldn't get the job done. Sergei Bobrovsky made 22 saves for the Panthers, stopped Eberle, McMann, and Freddy Gaudreau in the shootout, and Vinnie Hinostroza finished it off. Final: 5-4 Florida.
A Game Seattle Should Have Won, And Probably Needed To Win
Let's be real. The Kraken beat these Panthers 6-2 at Climate Pledge Arena on March 15. Florida's already out of the playoff picture. This was supposed to be the easiest win on a six-game road trip. Instead, Seattle leaves with one point and a ton of regret.
McMann, who came over from Toronto at the deadline, had his fingerprints all over this game. Five goals and seven points in just six Kraken games. The guy's been their hottest player. But even that wasn't enough.
Coach Lane Lambert was working with a short bench. Jared McCann missed his second straight game due to injury, and Ryan Winterton is taking a temporary leave of absence. Lambert had to get creative, scratching AHL call-up Jani Nyman and doing something this franchise doesn't usually do: sending out seven defensemen instead of four full forward lines. Defenseman Cale Fleury played for the first time in over two weeks. Beniers logged 22:52, most of any Kraken forward.
Adam Larsson Hits a Historic Milestone
Here's something to be proud of: Adam Larsson played his 1,000th NHL game on Tuesday. He's the 423rd player ever to reach that mark and only the 23rd from Sweden. He even picked up an assist on Beniers' crucial goal, which is pretty cool timing for such a massive career milestone.
Seattle's now 1-5 in shootouts this season and 9-17 all-time. That's a stat that needs to change fast with 12 games left to play.
"It's really coming down to the end of season here," McMann said. "We've got to make sure we're playing with that urgency all the time." He's right. And this game proves they can find it. The question is whether they can bring it from the opening puck drop instead of waiting until they're desperate.
🐦 What fans are saying on X
See the latest reactions and highlights from Seattle fans about Florida Panthers.
View X conversation →🔮 Trade Seattle Sports on Kalshi
Did you know you can trade on Seattle sports outcomes on Kalshi, the only federally regulated prediction market in the US? Kalshi is available in Washington state. Bet on Seahawks games, Mariners season outcomes, Kraken playoff runs, and more. No sportsbook account needed.
💰 Limited offer: Get a FREE $10 when you sign up!
👉 Sign up at Kalshi.com and use promo code SEATTLEONTAP to claim your free $10.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.