Top Kraken Takeaways From Seattle’s Home Shootout Loss to Vancouver, December 29th, 2025
Kraken lose 3-2 in shootout against Canucks
By Jayd Serdy, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - The Seattle Kraken didn’t walk away from Monday’s game against Vancouver with the win, but they didn’t leave empty-handed either. In a tight, physical 3–2 shootout loss to the Canucks, Seattle showed a level of push and engagement that made the game feel heavier than the score might suggest. It wasn’t a perfect night, shootouts rarely are, but it was a competitive one. While there is frustration that the Kraken dropped a game they arguably should’ve won, the continued struggles in alternate jerseys (excluding the Winter Classic, you’re perfect) and general issues in back-to-backs should be directed more at how the result came about than at the result itself. Here are a few top takeaways from the shootout defeat.
Photos from the fight between Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann and Vancouver Canucks forward Conor Garland during their game on Monday, December 29th, 2025 at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Nate Koppelman for Circling Seattle Sports)
McCann Set the Physical Tone Early
If there was any doubt about Seattle’s physicality without Mason Marchment on the team, Jared McCann erased it in the first period. He played with an edge that hasn’t always been present in his game, finishing checks and battling hard along the boards against a Vancouver team that thrives on tempo. That physical push didn’t just spark McCann’s line - it helped Seattle match the Canucks’ intensity early and prevented the game from tilting immediately in Vancouver’s favor. McCann followed up with a solid fight against Vancouver’s Conor Garland. While the team’s most talented goal scorer shouldn’t have to defend himself, it’s always somewhat endearing to see him actually stand up for himself and the team when others won’t. Other players on the Kraken roster could use heart like McCann has.
“He kind of elbowed me in the one play there beforehand. So, I asked him to go, and he said yeah, and that was the end of that.”
“I think it just shows a lot about the character of Jared McCann. Garland accepted. I thought it was hockey, and sometimes things happen. I got a lot of respect for Jared McCann.”
Kraken Showed Fight Against a Rival
This had the feel of a true rival matchup, and Seattle didn’t shrink from it. The Kraken traded scoring chances and absorbed pressure. It stayed in the fight through regulation and overtime against a Canucks team that hasn’t gone away quietly against most opponents despite struggles throughout the year. Even in a shootout loss, there’s value in pushing a divisional rival to the brink and proving you can compete physically and structurally for 65 minutes. Considering that this was the second leg of a back-to-back and there are still some key names missing from the Seattle lineup in Brandon Montour and Jaden Schwartz, it’s nice to see the Kraken actually creating chances and forcing danger upon opposing teams compared to how offensively inept they’ve looked at times in four of their five years as a franchise.
A Tighter Defensive Effort Kept Seattle Alive
Compared to some recent games, the Kraken were more disciplined in their own zone. Vancouver still generated looks, because they always do, but Seattle limited the extended breakdowns that have plagued them in past losses. Sticks were in lanes with purpose, backpressure showed up, and the game stayed close because Seattle didn’t give the Canucks much for free. The third period and overtime showcased the Kraken's ability to lock things down when they need to, as Vancouver put just three shots on goal in the third and none in overtime. While there is justifiable frustration in the failure to capitalize on numerous chances in that third and overtime, seeing Seattle earn the right to be upset with a missed opportunity is better than looking completely lifeless and out of place.
Photos of Seattle Kraken forwards Freddy Gaudreau and Eeli Tolvanen during the shootout in their loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, December 29th, 2025, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Nate Koppelman for Circling Seattle Sports)
Shootout Loss Still Leaves a Point, and a Message
Losing in a shootout always stings, especially for this Kraken franchise, considering their lackluster history in it, but this was a point earned rather than one given away. Seattle competed hard, stayed engaged physically, and forced a skilled opponent to need extra time. If the Kraken can bottle this game and carry it forward, this loss feels more like a foundation than a setback. As mentioned previously, the focus should be on the process leading to this result, not just the result itself. The Kraken scored twice in the first period, didn’t back down when things got physical, and were able to lock down a Canucks team that’s presented danger for opponents in the immediate aftermath of their stunning trade of Quinn Hughes to Minnesota.
Photos from Ryan Winterton’s first-period goal, assisted by Jacob Melanson, during the first period of the Seattle Kraken’s shootout loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, December 29th, 2025, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Nate Koppelman for Circling Seattle Sports)
Seattle’s fourth line continues to show heart
Throughout the season, whatever trio has been on the fourth line for the Kraken has shown up and done more than just the standard “dirty work” that comes with the typical role of that line. While it hasn’t quite been the line that Seattle fans came to love from the second season in Donato-Geekie-Sprong, the current cast of Tye Kartye, Ben Meyers, and Jacob Melanson has done well to cause problems for whoever they’re going up against and has actually generated offensive looks in their limited ice time. This specific game saw Ryan Winterton slotted in for Tye Kartye. That change seemingly paid off immediately with a nice pass from Melanson to Winterton to score the second Kraken goal of the night. It’ll be interesting to see how Seattle handles that fourth line as the season has gone on, as Kartye has played a strong game throughout the year but Winterton does have a high ceiling offensively.
“Well, they impact the game lately. They’re responsible, they’re quick, they’re physical, obviously a huge goal for us, Winterton. Melanson made a nice play on that. They create energy for our hockey team, and they do it responsibly.”
What’s next?
Following tonight’s loss in the shootout to the Vancouver Canucks, who they’ll see again later this week, the Seattle Kraken will have a day off and a day of practice before their next game. That upcoming contest is on Thursday, January 1st, 2026, as the Nashville Predators come to town for a 7 PM PST puck drop at Climate Pledge Arena, which will be broadcast live on the Kraken Hockey Network (Amazon Prime Video) and KONG for those in the local market. The Predators struggled out of the gate this season but appear to have found some life, winners of 9 of their last 13 games. Nashville will play Vegas a day before this contest against Seattle, but with a noon puck drop time, so they’ll arrive in the Pacific Northwest a bit sooner than if they played a standard night game. For as much of a push as the Kraken have made, the Predators sit just a point behind them in the race for a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.
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