Kraken's playoff hopes hanging by a thread

The Seattle Kraken's playoff aspirations are in jeopardy as they navigate a tightly contested race in the Western Conference. As of Wednesday morning, the Kraken sit only two points behind the Nashville Predators, who currently hold the final wild-card spot, despite the Kraken collecting the fewest points among playoff hopefuls since the Olympic break, totaling just 12.

Following a tough 3-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, Kraken winger Jared McCann acknowledged the precarious situation, emphasizing the need to capitalize on their remaining games. Currently, the Kraken are tied in points with the L.A.

Kings, Nashville Predators, and San Jose Sharks, all of whom are struggling to pull away. The Kraken were in a much stronger position before the Olympic break, sitting third in the Pacific Division, but have since gone 5-10-2.

The Anaheim Ducks, however, have surged ahead, and the Winnipeg Jets are now within striking distance of the playoffs, complicating the Kraken's chances. Their upcoming schedule includes a crucial homestand against the Chicago Blackhawks and the Utah Mammoth, teams with varying playoff implications.

The Kraken's power play has struggled lately, being the worst in March, and their top forward trio of McCann, Matty Beniers, and Jordan Eberle has cooled off significantly. According to Moneypuck.com, the Kraken's playoff odds currently sit at 15%, which is below that of the Winnipeg Jets.

With just two weeks left in the regular season, the urgency for the Kraken to improve their performance is palpable, especially given their recent erratic play and defensive lapses. The organization will also honor defenseman Adam Larsson for his 1000th NHL game during this critical stretch.