SAN JOSE – There is no way around this Black Friday matinee. It was a tough outing for Kraken goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer, who conceded eight goals on 26 shots on goal. There were turnovers and other mishaps that contributed to an 8-5 defeat, but Grubauer was in no way able to live up to his own standards. The Kraken skaters were resilient, especially in getting the guests back to within one goal by the second break.

But the third period ended with two more San Jose goals, including the first NHL goal for a rookie, Ethan Caldwell, freshly called up from the AHL, and a second goal of the game for Journey D-man Jake Walman. The 8-5 final brings Seattle’s record to 11-12-1, with the return game set for Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Climate Pledge Arena. The loss wiped out two power play goals from Shane Wright, increasing the scoring rate to two points per game as he returned to the lineup after a short layoff, and ending a long scoreless streak for the Kraken power play.

Both Oliver Björkstrand and coach Dan Bylsma agreed there were some positive aspects to playing the Sharks again in less than 30 hours.

“In this scenario, I think it’s a good thing,” said Bjorkstrand, who has a goal and an assist with five points in his last four games. “I think we have something to prove tomorrow. It has to be a statement game.”

“I think you know all the basic storylines of this game, where we made mistakes, what we didn’t do, you can get a handle on that real quick with an opportunity tomorrow night,” said Bylsma, who added the coaching staff look all scenarios associated with Grubauer’s possible exit from the game, as Joey Daccord had a rest day on Saturday as the presumed starter in net.

Next: What do players need to say to themselves after a loss like this in a schedule that everyone on the roster and in the coaching room knew was weak in order to make up ground in the Pacific Division and the Wild Card standings?

“At the end of the day, it comes from the guys in there (locker room),” Bylsma said. “Certainly a message from the coach, but it’s about us and us doing our best night after night. When it comes from the boys, when it comes from the group, it’s more meaningful. There is a greater buy-in. Sometimes you have to be tested in order to express this in the group. “Saturday night’s game, we have to use this opportunity to make a change.”

The loss wiped out two power play goals from Shane Wright, increasing his scoring rate to two points per game as he returned to the lineup after a short layoff. The two goals also ended a long scoreless streak on the Kraken power play.

A second period to shake off

The second half brought six goals and a nightmare scene for Kraken goalkeeper Philipp Grubauer. He allowed four of those goals, including three straight goals, to turn a 4-3 Seattle lead into a 6-4 San Jose lead. It started when Will Smith, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, hit a stretch pass to beat Grubauer from the right faceoff dot, with the puck dribbling through the goalie’s leg pads. It’s fair to say Grubauer would love to have that back.

With Wright’s second power play of the afternoon, Seattle regained the lead. Defenseman and power play quarterback Ryker Evans moved the puck to Stephenson deep on the right side. The experienced center quickly sent the puck down the ice to an open Wright, who buried it for his fourth goal of the year. Since returning to the lineup, he now has three goals and three assists in the last three games.