This Is Brutal: Kraken Get Torched by Lightning, Playoff Hopes Take a Hit
Well, that was not the kind of game you want to see when you are fighting for a playoff spot. The Seattle Kraken got absolutely demolished by the Tampa Bay Lightning on March 17, 2026, falling 6-2 at home. This was supposed to be an opportunity to gain separation in the wild card race, and instead the Kraken just got punched right in the mouth.
The Lightning Were Just Too Much
Tampa came in hot and never looked back. Anthony Cirelli was doing damage all night, scoring a goal to push the Lightning lead to 4-2. Nikita Kucherov was running the show with multiple goals, and Brandon Hagel chipped in with a power play goal to keep the Kraken completely off balance. The Lightning's offense was clicking on all cylinders, and Joey Daccord in net had no chance to steal this one.
Kraken Couldn't Keep Up
Seattle had some bright spots. Jared McCann found the back of the net to keep the Kraken in it for a bit, and they showed some fight. But this was a game where Tampa's depth and speed just wore down the home team. When Cirelli made it 4-2, that could have been a turning point if the Kraken could have answered back, but instead the Lightning just kept coming and put this thing out of reach.
The Playoff Picture Just Got Tougher
Here is the thing: the Kraken came into this game tied with the LA Kings and sitting just one point up on San Jose, who lost to Edmonton. This was a prime chance to create some real separation for that final wild card spot. Instead, Seattle leaves points on the table in a big way. The margin for error in this league is razor thin, and a loss like this stings even more when you are in a dogfight for a playoff berth. The Kraken need to regroup fast and get back in the win column.
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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.