Seattle Kraken vs Pittsburgh Penguins Picks and Predictions January 25th 2025

Penguins, Kraken Need to Step Up Now to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive

With the NHL trade deadline just six weeks away, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Seattle Kraken find themselves at a crossroads. Both teams are in desperate need of consistency to stay in contention for playoff berths, or they risk becoming sellers by March 7. Time is running out, and both franchises must act decisively to avoid a disappointing end to their seasons.

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Penguins Struggling to Stay Afloat in the Eastern Conference

Currently sitting 14th in the Eastern Conference with 48 points, the Penguins are five points shy of the second wild-card spot. However, the road to a playoff position is daunting, as they must surpass six teams to clinch a spot. The clock is ticking, with General Manager Kyle Dubas emphasizing the importance of the team’s ongoing seven-game road trip.

“If we’re going to claw our way back into it again, you need to do so on this trip,” Dubas said on the GM Show. “Suddenly, you get to the end and only have a few games left. Then you’re on a two-week break, and suddenly you’re into March, and it’s decision-making time.”

Inconsistent Performance on the Road

The Penguins have shown flashes of brilliance but continue to struggle with consistency. After opening their road trip with a 5-2 win over Buffalo, they followed it up with a 4-1 loss to Washington. Their West Coast swing saw similar results, with a commanding 5-1 victory over Los Angeles undone by a disappointing 5-1 loss to Anaheim.

Goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, who made 29 saves in the Anaheim loss, highlighted the need for consistency:
“The best teams in the league are the ones that bring it every single night. You have to earn your two points every single night, and it’s not always going to go your way. But if you keep bringing it, things are going to even out and fall in your favor.”

Key Players Missing

Adding to the Penguins’ woes, forward Bryan Rust exited Thursday’s game against Anaheim with a lower-body injury and did not return. Rust’s absence could further complicate Pittsburgh’s uphill battle.

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Kraken Facing Tough Odds in the Western Conference

The Kraken’s playoff hopes are also hanging by a thread. Sitting sixth in the Western Conference wild-card race with 45 points, Seattle is eight points out of the final playoff spot. A two-game winning streak was recently snapped with a 3-0 loss to league-leading Washington, further highlighting the team’s struggles against elite competition.

Finding Their Rhythm at Home

Seattle has a chance to make up ground with six of their next seven games at home, starting Saturday against Pittsburgh. However, coach Dan Bylsma recognizes the challenge ahead:
“That was a game against a good team, and we weren’t able to abate their pressure enough to get to our pressure. It was a tough-sledding game, for sure.”

The Kraken’s inability to maintain pressure against stronger teams has been a recurring issue, something the players know needs immediate attention.
“We’ve got to grasp it from within and turn this around quickly,” forward Jaden Schwartz said. “Because it’s unacceptable, and there’s no one to blame but ourselves.”

Injuries Adding to Challenges

Seattle may also be without forward Chandler Stephenson, who left Thursday’s game after taking a slap shot to the left hand. His potential absence could leave a significant gap in the Kraken’s offensive lineup.

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What’s at Stake for Both Teams?

Both the Penguins and Kraken face critical junctures in their seasons. If they fail to capitalize on their upcoming games, they risk falling too far behind in their respective playoff races. This could force management to shift focus to the future by trading key players before the deadline.

Possible Trade Deadline Implications

• For the Penguins, veteran players like Evgeni Malkin or Jeff Carter could draw interest if the team decides to sell.
• The Kraken, in just their third NHL season, may look to offload assets to acquire future draft picks, prioritizing long-term growth.

Key Focus Areas

1. Consistency: Both teams need to bring their best effort every night, as there’s no margin for error.
2. Defensive Discipline: Avoiding costly turnovers and managing defensive breakdowns will be critical.
3. Leadership: Players like Sidney Crosby (Penguins) and Jaden Schwartz (Kraken) must rally their teams to foster a sense of urgency.

Upcoming Games Offer Last Chances to Gain Momentum

The Penguins will look to bounce back Saturday in Seattle before heading to San Jose and Utah to close out their road trip. Meanwhile, the Kraken have a critical stretch of home games to turn their season around, starting with Pittsburgh. Both teams must seize these opportunities to stay in the playoff hunt.

As Dubas aptly put it, “You need to do so on this trip,” or time will run out.