The Seattle Kraken head into their April 5, 2025 matchup against the San Jose Sharks with a sense of urgency and an opportunity to redeem two earlier season losses to one of the NHL’s lowest-performing teams. With their playoff hopes still mathematically alive, the Kraken have no room for missteps and must approach this game with postseason intensity. Currently floating near a .500 record and an ATS mark of 34-35, Seattle has been the epitome of inconsistency—capable of dominating with speed and structure on some nights, while struggling with defensive lapses and goaltending woes on others. Their last two games against the Sharks—a staggering 8-5 defeat and a 4-2 loss on back-to-back nights in November—were particularly bitter pills to swallow, given the Sharks’ overall poor performance this season. For the Kraken, this contest is about more than standings; it’s about making a statement and tightening up with the playoffs looming. Offensively, the Kraken have demonstrated respectable balance, averaging 3.0 goals per game. They don’t rely on a single superstar but rather spread their scoring across all four lines, with consistent contributions from players like Jared McCann, Matty Beniers, and Jordan Eberle. The Kraken’s forechecking pressure and strong puck movement make them a threat in transition, and their ability to generate chances from below the goal line or the point keeps opposing defenses honest. However, inconsistency on the power play has hampered their ability to convert momentum into scoreboard results. When the Kraken’s man-advantage unit is clicking, they can control the pace and apply scoreboard pressure early. In this game, capitalizing on San Jose’s weak penalty kill could be the edge Seattle needs to pull away.

Defensively, the Kraken need to clean up the structural breakdowns that plagued them in their earlier games against San Jose. Their goals-against average of 3.25 is slightly inflated due to inconsistency in both goaltending and defensive zone coverage. Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord have alternated in net for much of the season, but neither has consistently taken control of the starter’s crease. Defensive pairings have generally held up well against elite competition, but lapses in puck management and slow reaction times to second-chance opportunities have cost Seattle dearly, especially against opportunistic teams. Against the Sharks, who thrive on chaotic, turnover-driven offense, Seattle must focus on disciplined puck possession and avoiding careless neutral zone play. Zone exits need to be crisp, and defensive rotations must be precise to keep San Jose from finding easy scoring lanes. The Kraken’s road record has been serviceable, and playing away from home has not drastically shifted their performance trends. What will be crucial is their ability to mentally reset after prior defeats to San Jose and treat this game with the gravity it deserves. Given the Sharks’ struggles, Seattle is the superior team on paper in nearly every statistical category. However, hockey is a game of execution and momentum—and San Jose has already proven that effort can sometimes overcome talent. If the Kraken hope to climb the standings and establish playoff legitimacy, this is a must-win scenario. A 60-minute effort built on disciplined defense, smart special teams play, and effective puck cycling should be more than enough to leave San Jose with two points and a measure of redemption.