Seattle's Shane Wright returns from injury, but team falters in decisive third period
Category: Sports
In a decisive matchup on April 15, 2026, the Seattle Kraken fell to the Vegas Golden Knights 4-1 at T-Mobile Arena, dashing their hopes of sweeping the season series. The loss marked a disappointing end to the Kraken's regular season and secured the Pacific Division title for the Golden Knights, their fifth in nine years.
The game was tightly contested until the third period, which proved decisive. The Kraken and Golden Knights entered the final frame tied 1-1. Just 1:23 into the period, Mitch Marner tipped in a shot from defenseman Brayden McNabb, giving Vegas a 2-1 lead. Reilly Smith then added two more goals at 12:01 and 16:36, sealing the victory for the Golden Knights.
With this win, Vegas improved their record to 39-26-17, and they have been on a remarkable run since John Tortorella took over as head coach for Bruce Cassidy on March 29, 2026. The Golden Knights have won seven of their last eight games, with their only blemish being a shootout loss to the Kraken just a week prior.
Seattle's only goal came from Shane Wright, who returned to the lineup after missing eight games due to an upper-body injury sustained on March 28, 2026. Wright scored at 2:24 of the second period, marking his first goal since before the Olympic break. Jani Nyman, who was recalled from the AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, assisted on the play, sending a rebound from Jamie Oleksiak's shot to Wright, who managed to flip the puck past Vegas goalie Carter Hart, who made 22 saves.
After the game, Wright expressed his relief at being back on the ice, saying, "It always sucks, missing some time like that. It's just a good feeling to be back, good to be out there with the guys." His return was a bright spot in an otherwise challenging game for the Kraken.
Kraken head coach Lane Lambert was less than pleased with his team's performance, particularly in the latter half of the game. He noted, "The bottom line is, physical play and the size of their hockey team, we couldn’t find an answer for that. We made a lot of stupid plays. Our game management leaves a lot to be desired right now." Lambert emphasized the need for the team to sustain their performance throughout the entire game, criticizing their tendency to back into their zone and turn the puck over.
Vince Dunn, a defenseman for the Kraken, echoed his coach's sentiments, stating, "The second half of the game, we were just chasing the game all the time. We make things way too hard on ourselves. Over-complicated passes, not putting ourselves in good areas to succeed with the puck." The Kraken struggled to find their rhythm, which was exacerbated by their failure to earn a power play opportunity for the third consecutive game.
Seattle's loss also had implications for their draft positioning. Heading into the game, they were sixth in the draft lottery order and could have moved up to fifth with a Toronto Maple Leafs victory. The Maple Leafs, unfortunately for the Kraken, lost to the Ottawa Senators, leaving Seattle locked into their draft position regardless of the outcome of their final game against the Colorado Avalanche.
As the season concludes, the Kraken's record stands at 34-36-11, having dropped their last two games. With one game left on the schedule, they are set to face the Avalanche, but the stakes are considerably lower now that their playoff hopes have vanished.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights are preparing for a first-round playoff matchup against the Utah Mammoth, looking to capitalize on their recent success. Tortorella's coaching has revitalized the team, and they appear to be peaking at the right moment. The Golden Knights' ability to close out games has been a focal point of their recent victories, and they will aim to carry this momentum into the postseason.
The Kraken, on the other hand, face a long offseason filled with questions about their performance and strategies moving forward. As they prepare for the draft, the focus will be on rebuilding and addressing the issues that plagued them this season, particularly in their ability to maintain a consistent level of play.
As the NHL playoffs approach, the Golden Knights will look to leverage their experience and recent form, hoping to make a deep run this year. For the Kraken, the end of the season marks a time for reflection and planning, with an eye on improvement and growth for the next season.
With the playoffs just around the corner, how the Golden Knights fare against the Mammoth, and whether the Kraken can regroup and come back stronger next season.