Overview
- Seattle fell 3-1 to Buffalo, continuing a 1-7-1 stretch that has erased the momentum from the club’s strong start.
- The power play sits midpack at roughly 19% while the penalty kill ranks last near 67%, including multiple empty 5-on-3s as opponents have gone 2-for-2 on theirs.
- Top scorer Jared McCann is out for several weeks after a setback vs. Los Angeles, Jaden Schwartz has missed three weeks, and a flu bug forced further lineup shuffles, exposing thin depth.
- Goaltending remains a stabilizer, with The Athletic placing Seattle’s netminding 13th leaguewide and recent performances backing that up with above-expected saves.
- Rookie call-up Jacob Melanson supplied a noticeable physical spark, and local analysis raises the possibility of trades for scoring help while noting the team still sits about five points from a playoff spot.