The Kraken dug their way out of a first-period 3-goal deficit, but a late third-period penalty ruined their comeback bid
By Miracle Lucketti
Seattle, WA - Fans inside Climate Pledge Arena were in for a rough initial twenty minutes of hockey during Saturday’s matinee matchup against the New York Rangers. New York scored just 1:35 into the first and then did it again… and then again. Things were quickly looking insurmountable, and Kraken fans were right to be worried. Three goals on ten shots led to Kraken coach Lane Lambert making an early goaltending change. “I didn't like a couple of the goals,” Lambert said. “It's really hard for our hockey team to chase games, and we needed to do something to change the momentum.”
Philipp Grubauer took over in net for Joey Daccord with a little over six minutes left in the first.
Philipp Grubauer took over in net for the Seattle Kraken during their 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, November 7th, 2026, after a tough start at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
The second period was not much kinder to Seattle. They struggled to get the puck out of their own zone, connect passes, and win battles. Within the first two periods, the Rangers held the Kraken to just 15 shots on goal, and the frustration for Seattle was visible. “We were losing a lot of battles,” captain Jordan Eberle reflected after the game. “Especially the second period. They [New York] had guys on pucks, winning stuff, and they just changed the momentum back and forth.” The Rangers took advantage of a desperate Kraken team and tallied a 4th goal in the second, sending Seattle to the room down four goals before the final twenty minutes.
It was in the third period, however, that the Kraken decided to wake up. “We had a plan in place that I’ll take responsibility for the players not following it,” Lambert told the media after the game. “Once we started to follow it in the third period, lo and behold, we had some chances, and we had some time in their zone.”
Those chances started early in the third with forward Kaapo Kakko getting the Kraken on the board near the 1:50 mark. “I saw he [Joonas Korpisalo] was kind of still sliding,” Kakko said about his goal. “I wasn’t even thinking I was going to shoot it right away. I thought I could make a play and find somebody else, but then I saw he was still on the other post, so it was an easy job to put it in.” Kakko’s goal was the spark Seattle needed to mount their comeback effort.
Jordan Eberle kept the momentum building with a power play goal – only the second power play goal on the road that the top-ranked Rangers penalty kill has allowed so far this season. Blueliner Vince Dunn netted the team's final goal of the period, bringing the Kraken within one with a little under five minutes to go. Spirits were high, and Kraken fans were anxious to see the comeback completed.
Goal photos from the Seattle Kraken's 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, November 7th, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
Unfortunately, a poorly timed holding penalty from Berkly Catton would seal the loss. With just 2:28 left in the game, Catton sat, and Seattle went on the kill. “We can’t put ourselves in that position to make the referee have to decide whether or not that’s a penalty,” Lambert commented. “Another learning experience for a young player.” The Kraken rallied to kill the penalty and made a solid effort to tie the game, but ultimately would fall short.
“We have to be more consistent,” Eberle remarked. “If we want to continue to have success this season, that has to be our mentality.”
Here’s hoping the team will stop living so dangerously and find that consistency they desperately need sooner rather than later.
What’s next?
Following this tough loss at Climate Pledge Arena, the Kraken are jetting off to Finland! They’ll face the Carolina Hurricanes in two NHL Global Series games played in Helsinki, starting Thursday, November 12th. After the Global Series, Seattle will return home for a game against Vancouver on the 19th, then hit the road again to take on the San Jose Sharks on the 21st.
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