The Edmonton Oilers delivered a decisive blow to the Seattle Kraken on Thursday, December 4, 2025, with a final score of 9-4. The Oilers' offensive onslaught, led by Connor McDavid's hat trick and Leon Draisaitl's exceptional playmaking, exposed several areas of concern for the Kraken. Here are three key takeaways from the game:

1. McDavid and Draisaitl's Dominance

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl proved to be an unstoppable force, combining for a total of seven points. McDavid showcased his elite scoring ability by netting his 13th career hat trick, tying him with Mark Messier for fourth in franchise history. Draisaitl contributed a goal and three assists, continuing his impressive record against the Kraken. Draisaitl now has 34 points in 15 career games against Seattle. Their combined efforts highlighted the Oilers' offensive capabilities and underscored the challenges the Kraken faced in containing their top players. McDavid and Draisaitl are now fifth in league history for goals factored in together as teammates with 503, moving ahead of Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

2. Special Teams Struggles

The Kraken's special teams performance was a significant factor in their defeat. They failed to convert any of their three power-play opportunities, extending their power-play drought to 17 consecutive attempts without a goal across five games. To make matters worse, they allowed a short-handed goal. In contrast, the Oilers capitalized on their power plays, scoring four goals on five attempts. The Oilers went 4-for-5 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. This disparity in special teams effectiveness proved to be a critical difference in the game, tilting the ice heavily in favor of Edmonton.

3. Goaltending and Defensive Breakdowns

The Kraken's goaltending and defensive structure faltered against the Oilers' relentless attack. Joey Daccord, the Kraken's starting goalie, was pulled after allowing five goals on 14 shots. Philipp Grubauer, who came in relief, didn't fare much better, conceding four goals on 18 shots. The Kraken's defense struggled to contain the Oilers' offensive pressure, leading to numerous high-danger scoring chances. The Oilers scored twice in 17 seconds after McDavid opened the scoring in the first period. Improved defensive structure and more reliable goaltending will be crucial for the Kraken to bounce back from this loss.

In conclusion, the Kraken's 9-4 loss to the Oilers exposed vulnerabilities in their defense, goaltending, and special teams. While individual efforts from Eeli Tolvanen, Frederick Gaudreau, Jared McCann, and Jani Nyman provided some offensive spark, it wasn't enough to overcome the Oilers' dominant performance. As the Kraken look to rebound, addressing these key areas will be essential for future success. The Kraken have now lost a season-high four games in a row. They will look to end the losing streak when they return home to host the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday.