Jessica: Matt Coronato had four points. Four. And the Seattle Kraken defense didn’t just look slow, they looked nonexistent. It was a masterclass in chaos from Calgary and a collapse we have to dissect immediately.
Mark: It wasn't just chaos, Jessica. It was structural failure at every level. We talked about neutral-zone discipline yesterday, and tonight? There was none. Matt Coronato picked them apart like they were standing still.
Jessica: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network. I’m Jessica, and this is your daily deep dive into the Seattle Kraken. I’m joined by Mark, who has been watching the tape on that 6-2 loss to Calgary all night. Hey everyone, welcome back to the network.
Mark: Hey guys. It’s good to be here. Honestly, after seeing the final score and then breaking down the film, I’m trying to find the silver lining, but it’s buried under six goals allowed.
Jessica: Well, let’s get straight into it. Today is a Film Review episode. We’re looking at the last game against the Flames on October 31st. Here is what we are covering: first, we’re breaking down what went wrong at even strength with the neutral zone. Second, we’re scrutinizing the special teams and Joey Daccord’s net. And third, we’re doing a deep dive on Mackie Samoskevich, who actually led us in scoring despite the loss. Let’s go.
Jessica: Okay, Mark. Even strength. This is where we usually feel confident because our structure is tight. But against Calgary, it felt like they were skating on ice while we were skating on mud. What did you see in the neutral zone?
Mark: The gap control was non-existent. Matt Coronato, who had that career-high four-point night—wait, let me check, goal and three assists—he was getting wide entries without any pressure. Our forwards were either too far up ice or too passive. He’d cross the blue line, turn, and boom, he had time to read the play.
Jessica: And that’s the difference between a 5-4 win over Toronto and a 6-2 loss in Calgary. When we beat Toronto, Brandon Montour scored with 34 seconds left. That’s urgency. Against Calgary, there was no urgency. Did you see any of those nine players on IR affecting specific matchups?
Mark: Absolutely. With Ryan Lindgren, Jared McCann, and Jake O'Brien all out, our defensive pairing and physical presence are missing. You don't realize how much O'Brien protects the slot until someone like Coronato is gliding through. Without that net-front disruption, our defensemen are isolated. And they were.
Jessica: So, if we tighten up that neutral zone discipline, as we predicted for the rematch on November 5th, can we force Calgary to the outside? That was the key going in.
Mark: It has to be. If we funnel them to the boards, we reduce Coronato’s space. Right now, he’s treating our neutral zone like a parking lot. We need to close those seams. But it’s hard when you’re shorthanded on talent. Still, the effort levels need to match the speed.
Jessica: I agree. It’s not about excuses; it’s about execution. Now, before we move to the next segment, I want to take a quick breath. We put out a fresh show every single day, analyzing every shift, every line change, and every injury update. That takes a lot of work, and it’s only possible because of supporters like you. If you love having this breakdown available for free, please consider chipping in to keep the lights on. Just head to the link in the episode description. Every bit helps us keep bringing you this daily coverage. Thanks, guys.
Jessica: Alright, let’s talk special teams and the crease. The penalty kill was brutal. And then there was Joey Daccord. He’s been improving, right? How did he look in this one?
Mark: Joey got bad luck, pure and simple. Some of those shots were deflections off our own feet. But the PK... it was a disaster. We weren’t blocking lanes. Matt Coronato’s three assists came largely from high-danger areas because we weren’t cycling them out. Once they set up in the slot, Daccord had zero chance.
Jessica: It’s frustrating because we know Phil Grubauer is there as insurance, but Daccord needs to stand tall. Did you see any positive signs in his positioning?
Mark: He made a few saves later in the game when the pressure was mounting, showing that butterfly technique we’ve seen improve. But early on? He was caught playing the puck too much instead of reading the shooter. In the NHL, that hesitation costs you two goals instantly.
Jessica: Right. And the power play? We didn’t generate much either. Vince Dunn and Brandon Montour were moving the puck, but it felt stagnant. Were the wingers cutting enough?
Mark: Not really. With Jonathan Huberdeau and Brennan Othmann dealing with injuries or day-to-day status, our top-line chemistry is disrupted. The passing was hesitant. We need more movement off the wall. If we don’t fix that PP, we’re relying entirely on even-strength goals, which we struggled to get today.
Jessica: So, structural issues on both sides of the puck. One thing to note: Connor Zary is out, Devin Cooley, Samuel Honzek, Jacob Melanson are on IR. That depth chart is thin. How does that impact the PK rotation?
Mark: It forces the coaches to play regulars longer, leading to fatigue. Fatigue leads to missed assignments. And missed assignments lead to goals against. It’s a vicious cycle. We need fresh legs in the penalty kill box, but the options are limited right now.
Jessica: Let’s pivot to the bright spot. Mackie Samoskevich. He led the team in goals, assists, and points in that game. Two points. In a 6-2 loss. How do you evaluate a performance like that?
Mark: Samoskevich is playing with confidence. He’s using his size, he’s winning board battles, and he’s finding soft spots in the defensive zone. His two points came on quality chances, not garbage goals. He’s adapting to the NHL game quickly.
Jessica: And he’s on Line 1. That’s a huge responsibility with so many guys injured. Does his production give the coaching staff a reason to keep him there permanently?
Mark: I think so. Especially with Jared McCann and Kaapo Kakko dealing with their own situations, Samoskevich provides a physical edge that others might lack. He’s not just a scorer; he’s a grinder. That versatility is valuable right now.
Jessica: What about Matty Beniers? We mentioned him yesterday needing to increase activity in his own zone. Did he step up against Calgary?
Mark: This is where I respectfully disagree with the idea that he failed. Beniers covered a ton of ice. He took hits. He tried to drive the play. But when you’re surrounded by gaps in the system, even the best two-way center can’t cover everything. He did his job; the team didn’t.
Jessica: Fair point. So, Samoskevich is the spark, Beniers is the engine, but the chassis is broken. Looking ahead to the rematch on November 5th, Calgary comes to Seattle. What needs to happen for us to get that win?
Mark: We need to match their physicality. No more easy entries. Force them to dump and chase. And we need the power play to wake up. If we can limit Coronato to one goal instead of four, we’re in every game.
Jessica: And we need to believe in ourselves. We beat Toronto five-four recently. We have the talent. We just need the structure. I predict if we shut down the middle, we win this rematch. Maybe 4-3, just like we guessed last time.
Jessica: There you have it. A tough loss, but plenty to learn from. Samoskevich shining, the defense waking up, and a rematch coming up. Subscribe, rate, and review the show wherever you listen. Help us keep this daily coverage going. Let’s go Kraken!