Kraken defensive issues key in loss to Stars in Game 2 of West 2nd Round

DALLAS --The Seattle Kraken's reliable defensive structure was hard to find during its 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars in Game 2 of the Western Conference Second Round on Thursday.

"I think we made the game a lot harder than it needed to be on each other," Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn said. "Just details weren't there completely as a group. Things we talk about all the time we didn't really do every single shift. Time of the year when if you don't do that, good teams will make you pay, whether it's the momentum shifts or goals in the back of the net."

"I just think we were a little bit safe and that's where our team struggles. We need to be on our toes, more aggressive. We're not the biggest, most physical team always. So we need to use our speed and our sticks and our ability to be tight together and aggressive to create offensive chances and get the puck out of our end."

The series is tied 1-1 heading to Seattle for Game 3 on Sunday (9:30 p.m. ET; TBS, SN, TVAS).

RELATED: [Complete Stars vs. Kraken series coverage]

The Kraken were outshot 30-14 through the first two periods Thursday, including 19-9 in the second. That push resulted in a 3-1 lead for the Stars entering the third period.

"We didn't spend enough time in the offensive zone tonight, to be honest with you, in terms of generating opportunities," Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said.

The Kraken have said that part of their game plan is to create traffic in front of Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger in order to take it harder for him to track the puck. But getting pinned in their zone consistently through the first two periods did not allow them to get to that facet of their game.

"[Getting traffic in front of Oettinger] is a domino that falls after you are able to gain time in the offensive zone, and we didn't do that tonight," Hakstol said. "It's going to be something that'll be a factor in this series for sure, and it's something that we'll have to continue to address."

The Kraken allowed 35 shots on goal in winning Game 1 against the Stars, and then 37 in Game 2. That's up from the 33.3 they allowed in seven games in eliminating the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.

And as the shots allowed went up Thursday, the Kraken's productivity at the offensive end went down. The 27 shots they had in Game 2, tied for the second-fewest they've had in the postseason.

Kraken forward Tye Kartye scored in the second on a play that began with Seattle winning two battles in its end, which led to a quick exit from the defensive zone and Kartye scoring off the rush.

But whether its a rush chance or a cycle play in the offensive zone, the Kraken know being harder in their end is the best way to create the offense that best works for them.

"I think we haven't really done it well enough in either game [against the Stars]," Kartye said. "Obviously, [Oettinger] is a great goaltender, and to score goals in the playoffs you're going to have to get some garbage goals to win games. Not every goal is going to be pretty."