Chandler Stephenson and Bobby McMann each had a goal and an assist, Kaapo Kakko had two assists and Philipp Grubauer made 34 saves for the Kraken (32-29-11), who have lost five of their past six games (1-3-2).
Seattle remains two points behind the Nashville Predators, who hold the second wild-card spot from the Western Conference, and one point behind the Los Angeles Kings, who are just below the playoff line.
“I thought we battled hard. Unfortunately, we couldn't get it done,” Kraken coach Lane Lambert said. “I thought our goaltender was outstanding, gave us the game we needed. I thought we had a lot of really good chances. We have to score."
Stephenson gave Seattle a 1-0 lead at 12:42 of the first period. He received a cross-crease pass from Kakko low in the left circle and roofed it over Luukkonen. The play began when Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram’s clearing attempt hit Stephenson and bounced to McMann, who gloved it down and sent it to Kakko.
McMann pushed it to 2-0 at 13:18 of the second period. He gathered a chipped puck from Kakko and drove down the right side before cutting past Dahlin into the near circle and beating Luukkonen with a snap shot glove side.
McMann, who was acquired from the Toronto Maple Leafs before the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6, has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in eight games with the Kraken.
“It’s been super helpful with this organization,” McMann said. “They’ve thrown everything at me. They’ve been super helpful getting me in here, and Lane’s been super great getting me up to speed with systems, with how the guys are playing, where he wants me to fit. But then, also, there’s just a lot of confidence bringing me in.”
Dahlin narrowed it to 2-1 at 15:55 on the power play with his 100th career NHL goal. Thompson sent a backhand feed from low in the left circle to Dahlin above the right circle for a wrist shot through traffic that went bar down.
