3 Takeaways From Kraken’s 2-0 Loss to Avalanche – The Hockey Writers – Seattle Kraken

On Thursday, April 16, the Seattle Kraken played their last game of the 2025-26 season against the Colorado Avalanche. Heading into this game, the Avalanche won the previous two matchups. 

The first period started off with a goal for the Avalanche, but the Kraken challenged it for offside. After a successful coach’s challenge, the score remained an even 0-0 after 20 minutes. The Avalanche scored a late goal in the second period to take a one-goal lead. The Kraken tried to even the score, but a second goal from the Avalanche earned them the 2-0 win over Seattle. Colorado also swept the season series. 

Kraken Had a Successful Coach’s Challenge 

Early in the first period, Nick Blankenburg scored a goal to put the Avalanche on the board. Kraken head coach Lane Lambert challenged for offside. After video review, it was determined that Logan O’Connor entered the Avalanche’s offensive zone before possessing the puck. The goal was waved off. 

It is not often that Lambert has issued a coach’s challenge during the season; this was only the Kraken’s second in all 82 games. The two times Lambert called a coach’s challenge, it went in favor of the Kraken, and the goal was called back. This is a great display of Lambert sticking up for his team, even in the final game of the season. 

Ostman Did His Best in His First NHL Start

In Game 82 for the Kraken, Victor Ostman earned his first NHL start. Both he and Niklas Kokko were called up from Seattle’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. This is because Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord are out due to injury, and Matt Murray is away from the team to attend to a family matter. Kokko played in the Kraken’s last three games.

Ostman did his best to keep the Kraken in the game, making 33 saves on 35 shots. He earned a save percentage (SV%) of .943. For his first time playing a full NHL game (he had played for 20 minutes in one game the previous season), Ostman did a great job. 

Unfortunately, his team left him high and dry, as the defense was nonexistent. For the Avalanche’s first goal, Vince Dunn was sucker punched by Parker Kelly, who then retaliated. While the pair were fighting in front of the net, Blankenburg scored a redemption goal to get Colorado on the board. 

Even though his team couldn’t score to get him his first NHL win, Ostman still did a great job of keeping Seattle in the game. 

Kraken Were Outplayed

For the last time this season, the Kraken were once again outplayed. The Avalanche had 17 shots on net in the first period, while Seattle only had seven. When the second came to an end, Colorado had 11 shots to the Kraken’s five. It wasn’t until the final period that the Kraken outshot the Avalanche, 10-7. 

The Kraken tried to make a comeback in the final 20 minutes, instead of playing a full 60-minute game. This is something they will have to work on in the offseason. They couldn’t end the season on a high note, but now this is just more ammunition to get better for the 2026-27 season.

Kraken’s Fifth Season Ended in a Fitting Way 

As the season reached its end, the Kraken couldn’t find ways to connect to earn scoring chances in this game. This is something they struggled with throughout the entire season. The 2025-26 season has come to an end for Seattle, so it is now time to look to the future with the 2026 Draft and offseason, which could shake up the team in a big way. Only time will tell.