Seattle Kraken can't fend off Avalanche, suffer 9th loss in 10 games

Kate Shefte, The Seattle Times on Dec 17, 2025

Published in Hockey

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Notable: The Kraken turned in one of their most complete efforts in more than two weeks against the only team they’ve ever beaten in a playoff series. But the best team in the Western Conference could phone it in for the most part and still manage to win in Seattle, and that’s what Colorado (24-2-7) did on Wednesday night.

The Kraken have dropped nine of 10 and sport a losing record for the first time this season at 12-13-6.

It was a handsy game for the Avalanche. Forward Martin Necas had a goal disallowed because he swatted a puck into the net and defenseman Josh Manson covered a puck in the Colorado crease with his glove. Both plays are illegal. Necas’ goal was disallowed and Manson earned Seattle’s Jordan Eberle a penalty shot in the third period. Eberle hit the goalpost.

First Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol returned to Climate Pledge Arena as an Avalanche assistant. The usually stoic coach was honored with a lighthearted highlight reel that featured him kicking over a trash can in the locker room and hugging players.

More than two years after Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (two assists) was suspended for injuring Seattle’s Jared McCann with a late hit during the 2023 playoffs, the Climate Pledge Arena crowd still booed him every time he touched the puck. It seemed to get louder as the Kraken took the lead and the fans grew bolder.

Kraken forward Shane Wright scored his first goal in almost a month to tie the game at one three minutes into the second period. As linemate Jani Nyman screened Blackwood, Wright took the initial shot and then poked at his own rebound.

Shortly after that, Kraken defenseman Adam Larsson pinched in and tried to redirect a Matty Beniers feed past Blackwood. The Colorado goalie slid all the way out of the crease while making the stop, but the puck remained in the blue paint, and Kraken captain Eberle swung it into the net while actively tripping over Blackwood. He is the first member of the Kraken to hit double digits in goals this season.

Larsson later prevented a goal by tying up Necas’ stick as the puck trickled toward the net, so the only tool Necas had at his disposal was his hand. He swatted the puck in illegally. The goal was immediately waved off and quick review upheld the call.

Samuel Girard tied the game at 2 for Colorado, then Chandler Stephenson banked the puck off bodies in front of the net on a Seattle power play. He allowed the Kraken to enter the second intermission with a 3-2 lead.

Goaltender Philipp Grubauer, a former member of the Avalanche and Seattle’s 2023 playoff hero, fought off 32 shots. One of his best was a kick save on Brock Nelson.

Kraken pest Mason Marchment was pushed into the Avalanche net, knocking it off its moorings, and some light shoving somehow escalated into throwing haymakers. Marchment and Manson squared off and Seattle defenseman Brandon Montour hopped into the fracas late. Those three, plus Avs defenseman Brent Burns, earned roughing penalties. Montour headed down the tunnel with an apparent injury and did not return.

When the dust settled, Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon scored his league-leading 27th goal of the season to tie the game again. Nelson scored nine seconds into a Colorado power play to give the Avalanche their first lead since 1-0, and that lead stuck.

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Quotable:“We played hard, like we have been. Just can’t find a way to get over the finish line.” – coach Lane Lambert

Player of the game: MacKinnon (goal, assist, empty netter)

Goal of the game: MacKinnon’s slap shot for a 3-3 tie.

On tap: The Kraken are on the road until after the league break for Christmas. They play the Calgary Flames on Thursday, followed by a tour of California — San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks and L.A. Kings. Their next home game is Dec. 28 against the Philadelphia Flyers.