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Top Handicapper 
Stars Face Kraken Again After Clinching Playoff Spot
For the second time in three days, the Dallas Stars and Seattle Kraken will clash in Seattle on Monday night in a game with vastly different stakes for each team.
On Saturday, the Stars (48-21-4, 100 points) secured a dominant 5-1 win over the Kraken, clinching a playoff berth for the fourth straight season. Meanwhile, Seattle (31-37-6, 68 points) was officially eliminated from postseason contention, making the remaining games about pride and evaluation for the future.
Dallas has been on a tear, winning five straight games, and now sits just four points behind the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the Central Division. With nine games left, including a head-to-head matchup with Winnipeg on April 10, the division title remains within reach.
Stars Finding Chemistry at the Right Time
After a brief adjustment period following the March 7 trade acquisition of Mikko Rantanen from Carolina, the Stars seem to have found their stride.
Rantanen had a goal and two assists in Saturday’s win over the Kraken, bringing his total to four goals and seven assists in 11 games since joining Dallas.
“I thought Rantanen was outstanding, our best player by far,” Stars coach Pete DeBoer said. “That line is starting to get some chemistry, it looked dangerous.”
Key Performers for Dallas
- Mikko Rantanen – 1 goal, 2 assists vs. Kraken; 11 points in 11 games with Dallas.
- Wyatt Johnston – Scored another key goal, continuing his strong season.
- Jake Oettinger – Won his fifth straight start and can match his season-best streak with another victory Monday.
DeBoer acknowledged that while the team is improving, there are still areas to clean up.
Oettinger Leading the Way
The Stars’ 23-year-old goaltender has been in top form lately, winning five straight games and giving Dallas a reliable backbone heading into the playoffs.
“He’s our backbone back there,” forward Mason Marchment said. “We all have so much confidence in him. He’s not just our goalie, he’s a leader on our team.”
If Oettinger extends his win streak Monday, it would further cement him as a key piece for a deep playoff run.
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Seattle Looking for Answers After Elimination
Seattle’s playoff dreams officially ended with their loss to Dallas, capping off a season filled with inconsistency. The Kraken have lost four of their last five games, struggling to find offensive rhythm and discipline.
Coach Dan Bylsma pointed to special teams struggles as a major reason for their loss. Seattle went 0-for-4 on the power play and allowed two goals while short-handed.
“It didn’t necessarily have the feel of a 5-1 game,” Bylsma said. “It’s uncharacteristic of our group to take a lot of penalties. … Maybe the timeliness and the undisciplined penalties have been the hurting factor.”
Key Areas for the Kraken to Improve
- Power Play Efficiency – Seattle was 0-for-4 against Dallas, continuing a season-long struggle.
- Discipline – The Kraken gave Dallas five power-play opportunities, which proved costly.
- Scoring Depth – Seattle has scored two goals or fewer in four of their last five games.
With their playoff hopes now gone, the Kraken will likely use the remaining games to evaluate young talent and look toward next season.
Game Information
Date: Monday, April 1, 2024
Location: Climate Pledge Arena – Seattle, WA
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Broadcast: ESPN+, Bally Sports Southwest, ROOT Sports NW
Final Thoughts
Dallas enters this rematch with momentum, looking to extend their win streak to six games and keep pace with Winnipeg in the Central Division race. With Oettinger in elite form and Rantanen settling in, the Stars are shaping into a serious playoff threat.
Meanwhile, the Kraken are playing for pride and future development after being eliminated. Can they bounce back and spoil Dallas’ division hopes, or will the Stars continue their dominance?
