Kraken Fought Back Hard, But Couldn't Finish the Job Against Panthers in Shootout
The Seattle Kraken showed real grit Tuesday night in Florida, storming back from down 4-1 to tie it late in the third period. But when it mattered most in the shootout, the Kraken couldn't get it done, falling 5-4 to the Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena. It was a tough loss that stings because Seattle was right there, just couldn't seal the deal.
The Comeback That Almost Was
Here's what made this one hurt: the Kraken were getting absolutely worked. The Panthers built a 4-1 lead at 12:21 of the third when Noah Gregor's pass deflected off a Kraken stick and in. At that point, you're thinking it's over, right? Not these guys. Seattle scored three goals in 2:21 to tie it up. Jordan Eberle had a goal and an assist, and Matty Beniers and Ryker Evans also lit the lamp. That's playoff hockey energy right there, the kind of resolve you need when you're fighting for a wild card spot.
Lane Lambert's crew was clicking in that moment. As Lambert said after, "I thought our comeback and our resolve was really good." The Kraken looked alive, looked dangerous. The problem? Execution wasn't there when they needed it most. Joey Daccord made 21 saves, but couldn't stop all three shootout attempts.
The Shootout Killer
Sergei Bobrovsky was the difference maker. He made 22 saves in regulation and then absolutely shut the door in the shootout, stopping all three Kraken attempts. That's what separates winning nights from nights that feel like losses, even when you fought back.
The standings reality is brutal: Seattle is now 31-29-10 and sits five points behind Nashville for the second wild card in the Western Conference. And it gets worse. The Kraken have lost four straight (0-3-1 in that span) and are just 2-7-1 over their last 10. That's not the trajectory you want heading into the stretch run.
What's Next
The good news? Lambert's right that the team showed something special in that third period comeback. That's the identity Seattle needs to lean on night in and night out. But the bad news is just as real: you can't let a 4-1 lead slip away and expect to make the playoffs. The Kraken need to lock in, stop leaving points on the table, and get back to winning hockey.
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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.