Penguins Struggle with Defense and Offense, Kraken Face Issues
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Seattle Kraken: A Critical Showdown for Two Struggling Teams
The Pittsburgh Penguins (20-22-8) and the Seattle Kraken (21-25-3) will square off in a highly anticipated matchup, each side aiming to reverse their fortunes in the 2025 NHL season. Both teams have encountered significant hurdles thus far, with neither finding much momentum as the midway point of the season approaches. The Penguins are languishing in the Metropolitan Division with only three wins in their last 10 games, while the Kraken, though slightly ahead, have won just four of their last 10 contests and sit near the bottom of the Pacific Division standings.
Penguins Face Challenges with Defense and Inconsistent Offense
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the midst of a tough campaign, with their defense faltering and their offense struggling to find consistency. The Penguins’ scoring average of 2.96 goals per game ranks them in the lower tier of the league, and despite Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell providing leadership and offensive production, the depth scoring remains a significant issue. Crosby and Rakell have combined for 36 goals and 56 assists, but outside of this top line, the offensive output drops off. Only four Penguins skaters have netted 10 or more goals, limiting their ability to produce across all four lines.
However, it’s the defense that has been the biggest obstacle. Pittsburgh’s defense allows an alarming 3.62 goals per game, ranking them near the bottom of the league. While Erik Karlsson and Marcus Pettersson have contributed defensively with a combined 13 defensive point shares, the unit as a whole has struggled to prevent high-quality scoring chances. Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic’s .893 save percentage and 3.26 goals-against average further exacerbate the issue, as he has allowed 5.5 goals more than expected based on the quality of shots he’s faced.
The Penguins need a significant defensive overhaul if they hope to turn things around and mount any sort of playoff push. Their inability to contain opposing offenses, coupled with the inconsistency in goal, has been a major cause of their woes.
Kraken Struggling on Both Ends of the Ice
Like the Penguins, the Seattle Kraken have been disappointing this season, with struggles on both offense and defense. They are currently averaging just 2.90 goals per game, ranking them among the worst in the league in terms of scoring production. While Jared McCann, Jaden Schwartz, and Chandler Stephenson have been reliable contributors, combining for 38 goals and 64 assists, the rest of the roster has not been able to generate consistent offense. Similar to Pittsburgh, only a handful of Kraken players have reached double digits in goals, leaving the team highly dependent on their top performers.
On the defensive end, Seattle’s situation is equally dire. The Kraken give up an average of 3.16 goals per game, and in their last two contests, they have allowed seven goals. Despite solid performances from defensemen like Brandon Montour and Adam Larsson, who have combined for 13.1 defensive point shares, the Kraken’s defensive unit as a whole has been unable to prevent scoring opportunities. The goaltending situation has provided some relief, though, as Joey Daccord has put together an impressive .915 save percentage and 2.47 goals-against average. Daccord has saved 11.7 goals above the expected total, showcasing his ability to bail out the defense when needed.
Despite Daccord’s strong play, Seattle’s inability to generate offense and their lack of consistency defensively have kept them out of the playoff race, and the team will need to figure out both ends of the ice if they are to stay competitive.
Conclusion
As these two struggling teams meet, both the Penguins and Kraken have plenty to prove. The matchup offers an opportunity for either side to show that they can overcome their weaknesses, but both must improve drastically if they want to make a serious playoff push. For Pittsburgh, addressing their defensive issues and getting more consistent secondary scoring will be key, while Seattle will need to find a way to better utilize their offensive weapons and tighten up their defense.
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