Kraken Lose in Overtime, Extend Point Streak, and Throw a Pride Party
A typical Thursday in Climate Pledge Arena saw the Kraken battle back to take the game to overtime, while DJ Orion brought the house down with a killer Pride Night Playlist
By Miracle Lucketti, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Kraken extended their point streak to 10 games with an 8-0-2 record after Thursday’s overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild. The team rallied with two third-period goals to tie the game.
Sights and scenes from the 2025-26 Seattle Kraken Pride Night at Climate Pledge Arena, hosting the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, January 8th, 2026. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
The Kraken started slow, with blueliner Vince Dunn calling the first period “awful” and noting, “It’s just tough when you’re chasing the game a little bit to start.” The team rebounded between the second and third periods to challenge the NHL’s third-ranked team.
“I thought we started to really play with about seven or eight minutes left in the second period, where we started to create some zone time. We did a really good job there, and I thought it carried over to the third.”
Goaltender Philipp Grubauer was tested early, allowing a Ryan Hartman goal just five minutes into the first period. Ten minutes later, Brock Faber scored, giving the Wild a 2-0 lead at the first intermission.
Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer was solid in net once again as he started against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
The combination of DJ Orion's musical stylings and Kraken mascot Buoy, dressed as a disco ball and swinging from the rafters, proved magical – Defenseman Adam Larsson was able to cut the Wild’s lead in half with his first goal in 16 games.
The Kraken power play had two chances Thursday and used one to tie the game. Matty Beniers scored 19 seconds into the play. “We knew we needed one there,” Beniers said. “We had some good looks and chances on the first one, and then we were able to get the second one just off a shot rebound.”
Seattle Kraken forward and alternate captain Matty Beniers scored a power play goal to tie the game at two against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, January 8th, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
Coach Lane Lambert praised the power play post-game. “Loved our power play tonight,” he said. “I think we had nine scoring chances. Our power play came through for us tonight.”
Unfortunately, despite the excellent vibes and tunes, the Kraken would fall in overtime. A missed pass resulting in too many turnovers allowed Matt Boldy to steal the puck and get it to Mats Zuccarello, who scored the winning goal just 2:09 into overtime.
“It was a pretty good hockey game overall if you were up in the stands,” Head Coach Lambert said. “I don’t know if I loved it overall, standing behind the bench watching.”
Quick Kraken notes, from Kraken PR
After sending the game to overtime, Seattle now has points in its last 10 contests (18 points; 8-0-2). This is the longest point streak of the season and the second-longest in franchise history (13 GP in 2023-24; 11-0-2).
With an assist, Jared McCann has a six-game point streak, recording seven points (3g/4a) in that span.
Since returning from injury on Dec. 28, 2025, McCann has been playing at a point-per-game pace tallying seven points in seven games played.
Vince Dunn added a pair of assists to the scoresheet tonight. He now has five total points (1g/4a) in three consecutive games.
Dunn recorded his eighth multi-assist period with the Kraken and surpassed Jared McCann (7) for the most in franchise history per NHL stats.
With his goal tonight, Matty Beniers has a three-game point streak, recording four points (2g/2a) in that span.
Chandler Stephenson set a new season high faceoff win percentage (76.9) when taking 13 or more at the dot.
What’s Next
The Kraken hit the road for a five-game trip starting Saturday as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes.
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