The Seattle Kraken suffered a disappointing 4-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday night, January 23, 2026, at home. This defeat marks the Ducks' sixth straight victory after enduring a nine-game losing streak. Here are three key takeaways from the game:

1. A Dismal Start Dooms the Kraken

The Kraken's sluggish start put them in a hole they couldn't climb out of. Cutter Gauthier scored a mere 62 seconds into the game, giving the Ducks an early lead. Ryan Poehling added to the Kraken's woes with a short-handed goal. By the end of the first period, the Ducks had surged to a 2-0 lead, outshooting the Kraken 13-2. Coach Lane Lambert didn't mince words, describing the first 40 minutes as "terrible" and "the worst we played all year". He expressed his disappointment, especially considering the game's importance as a "four-point" match against a division rival. Gauthier's goal saw him burning past Vince Dunn and snapping the puck past Philipp Grubauer.

2. Special Teams Struggles Continue

The Kraken's special teams play was a significant factor in their loss. They allowed a short-handed goal, the fourth they've conceded in the last five games. Meanwhile, the Ducks capitalized on their power-play opportunity, with Chris Kreider scoring a power-play goal. This disparity in special teams performance highlights an area where the Kraken need immediate improvement.

3. Late Push Too Little, Too Late

Despite their early struggles, the Kraken showed signs of life in the second and third periods. Jared McCann scored early in the second period, and Jaden Schwartz found the net early in the third. These goals narrowed the deficit and injected some energy into the Kraken's play. However, their efforts were ultimately insufficient, as Pavel Mintyukov sealed the victory for Anaheim with a long empty-netter. While the Kraken managed to generate more shots and pressure in the later stages of the game, Lukas Dostal, the Ducks' goaltender, stood tall, making 21 saves. Grubauer stopped 27 of the shots he faced.