Similar result, different day: Kraken fall to Stars, 3-1, in contest that mirrors game two days ago
By Jayd Serdy, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - Our Seattle Kraken fell by a final score of 3-1 to the Dallas Stars in their second consecutive game, and the two teams’ final matchup of the year to wrap up a three-game homestand at Climate Pledge Arena. This game showed a solid effort from the Kraken, and was Philipp Grubauer’s first start since March 19th. “The German Gentleman” had a great showing in net for Seattle against one of the top teams in the NHL, allowing only two goals on 31 shots with 1.2 goals saved above expected. He seemed to really have his rhythm back throughout this game, which is good to see given his season thus far. Grubauer earned the third star of the game with this performance and was largely the best thing going for the Kraken in this contest because out of the goal from Kaapo Kakko, this was a sloppy and uninspiring performance from Seattle. Having been officially eliminated from postseason contention just a few days ago, the Kraken are looking to close out the year playing better hockey (even if losing helps their odds for a better lottery pick in the upcoming draft), and tonight wasn’t quite an example of that.
Sights from pregame warmups, the first period, and intermission as our Seattle Kraken played host to the Dallas Stars for the second time in three calendar days on Monday, March 31st, 2025 at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Nate Koppelman for Circling Seattle Sports)
The first period opened up with the Kraken getting on the board just over a minute into the game, to the delight of the fans at Climate Pledge Arena. The goal came from winger Kaapo Kakko, who was put back on a line with veteran Jaden Schwartz and other young forward Matty Beniers. Schwartz had the primary assist on Kakko’s 14th goal of the season, as the lines chemistry once again seemed to be on display as it had previously, helping the Kraken get on the board first. Schwartz had circled behind the Stars goal, gaining the attention of three Dallas skaters which easily allowed Kaapo to skate right down the slot for an easy wrist shot over Casey DeSmith’s blocker in goal. The opening score was almost immediately answered by the Stars just over a minute and a half later, as Matt Duchene redirected a wrist shot from Mason Marchment, sending the puck right under Grubauer’s blocker, tying the game at 1-1. The play had started with Dallas hemming the Kraken into their zone with some chances, leading to Jared McCann crumpling to the ice after blocking a shot and effectively leaving Seattle down a man as the Stars jumped into the open ice and Duchene had plenty of space to not only screen Grubauer himself from seeing the puck coming in but also score the goal itself.
Just under a minute later, Wyatt Johnston tipped a shot in that was fed by Esa Lindell to give Dallas a 2-1 lead just 3:19 into the game, completely wiping away any momentum that Seattle had created with their game opening goal. The Kraken had been driving into the offensive zone right after the Stars first goal of the night, but a play from defenseman Cody Ceci got Dallas going the other way before Lindell sent the puck up through the neutral zone to a streaking Johnston as if it were a through ball in soccer, and Wyatt was able to get around Vince Dunn for the almost breakaway attempt on Grubauer.
Both Grubauer and Casey DeSmith locked in after the early flurry of goals, blocking all of the shots following these. The fourth, and final goal of the game came with 2:07 left in the game, when Seattle left their net open in an attempt to find a tying goal late but were unsuccessful and Mikael Granlund scored on the empty net.
Sights from the second and third period as our Seattle Kraken failed to find an equalizing goal before the Dallas Stars scored an empty netter to end things in their Monday, March 31st, 2025 contest at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Nate Koppelman for Circling Seattle Sports)
The rest of the game after the first period saw sloppy play, a lot of turnovers, missed shots, and just generally mediocre hockey. Seattle looked better overall in comparison to their showing against the Stars on Saturday night, but it just wasn’t good enough against a team near the top of the league and Western Conference standings. The ever productive Schwartz-Beniers-Kakko line was back in action tonight, and they had plenty of good scoring opportunities. Throughout the game there were a handful of times where it looked like they should have scored again, but that line just couldn't capitalize on the chances in this contest tonight against a tough Stars team. When Grubauer was asked about this line, he said “Yeah, playing amazing. I think Kakko there at the end just missed them back door, he was all wide open. Schwartzy through the past couple games has been unbelievable.”
“It was nice to be back with Schwartz, right away we knew what to do out there. The whole team got a lot of chances. I think or line also, so that’s a good thing in getting chances, but I think at some point you’re gonna put it in.”
Grubauer had quite a few solid glove saves throughout the game, stopping shots that looked like they had nowhere to go but in the back of the net. The Stars rushed Grubauer with a couple of breakaways, but he did an excellent job at being able to keep it within one goal throughout about 55 minutes of play. Following the game, Grubauer said “They’re a really big and fast team. They’re sniffing for breakaways and yeah, they had a couple. Even with 50-50 chances in their zone, their forwards are taking off, and they’re gone.”
Quick Kraken hockey notes
Tonight was the final of three meetings between Seattle and Dallas. The Kraken are 2-8-2 all time against the Stars, including a 1-4-1 mark at home.
Since the start of last season, the Seattle Kraken have been held scoreless in the 2nd period 76 times — more than any other team in the NHL.
From @KrakenStats on Twitter.
Kraken forward Kaapo Kakko set a new career high in points (41) tonight with his 14th goal of the season. His 41 points are tied for fourth among all Kraken skaters.
He is four goals back from his career high of 18 set in 2022-23 with New York.
Kakko (10 goals, 17 assists to total 27 points) recorded his 27th point with the Kraken and moved within one of tying Cam Fowler (8 goals, 20 assists totaling 28 points) for the most points among players on new clubs who were traded in-season.
With the addition of his helper tonight, Kraken forward Jaden Schwartz continues to lead active Kraken skaters in goals (9) and points (21) and second in assists (12) in a team-high 40 career games vs. Dallas.
What’s next?
With tonight’s tight loss to the Dallas Stars, their second defeat to them in a span of three calendar days, our Seattle Kraken are traveling tomorrow to begin a five-game road trip largely against Pacific division opponents, with the Utah Hockey Club mixed in there as well. The first contest of the road set comes on Wednesday, April 2nd with a puck drop time of 7:30PM PDT (The first of three of those same start times in the month of April) at Rogers Arena as they’ll battle the Vancouver Canucks for the last time during the 2024-25 season. The Canucks are one of two teams chasing the St. Louis Blues for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, as they sit six points behind the Blues while the Calgary Flames are five standings points behind just ahead of Vancouver. It’s obvious that they still have something to play for, and the Kraken are still hoping to close out their season with solid hustle and play on the ice to ensure they don’t go into the offseason feeling badly about themselves more than they already might given the failure of this season and not reaching the postseason. Fans can tune into this contest on the Kraken Hockey Network (Amazon Prime Video), KING 5, and KONG in the local market and if they want to join other Kraken fans to watch this game they can always head to our home, Rough & Tumble Pub as one of Seattle’s “Anchor Alliance” bars.
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