Kraken's Next Game Against Canucks Will Be Good Test As Playoff Push Continues

The Seattle Kraken are currently enjoying the small spoils of their two-game win streak. But the road to a playoff position doesn't get any easier for the Kraken, as Thursday night in Seattle, they'll be taking on the Vancouver Canucks -- one of the teams that currently stands in the way of the Kraken landing a wild card playoff berth. And they need to make a statement -- OK, another statement -- with a victory over the Canucks.

Of course, only two games ago, the Kraken defeated the Canucks 5-4 in overtime, kicking off their current, modest win streak. Another win over their division-rivals iin Vancouver would send a message that Seattle has the Canucks' number, and when the two teams square off again -- March 1 in Seattle, then again April 2 in Vancouver -- the Canucks will be highly-motivated to win.

But for now, at least, the Kraken are in control of their destiny. They aren't world-beaters, but they're also not bottom-dwellers. They've got games against above-average teams after the Canucks game is over: first, they'll be facing Edmonton in another important Pacific Divisional showdown, then they have the New Jersey Devils. And after that, Seattlle plays the playoff-hungry Columbus Jackets. The Kraken could easily be on a three-game losing streak

Regardless of who they play. the Kraken need some essential things. They need decent-to-slightly above-averaage goaltending, and they need offensive contributions from throughout the lineup, and capable defense. That's what they've been getting in this win streak, and if they're truly intent on making the playoffs, they need to be this goog and this consistent.

The Kraken are trying to build a year-in, year-out winner, and Seattle has to beat their divisional rivals as a foundation on which to add more talent. And we're going to soon see how the Kraken fares when it squares off against a Canucks team that nearly ran the table in the playoffs last season. It Seattle loses, it will underscore the fact that his team has much more work to do. And if Seattle wins, it will encourage their fan base and media that better days are soon to be ahead.

Regardless, the Canucks/Kraken game will provide a bellwether for Seattle, and Kraken GM Ron Francis is well-aware how crucial it is for his team to step up and stand out in this game. Seattle has to improve from within, and that process probably means your team takes it on the chin now and again.

Certainly, Vancouver can throw that punch, but time will tell whether or not it lands properly and knocks the Kraken out of the playoff picture. Vancover isn't at its best at the moment, but the Canucks can put up quite the fight. And the way Seattle reacts to these upcoming high-stakes games will go a long ways toward defining the identity of this Kraken team.