The Seattle Kraken’s recent victory over the Flames on Monday marked a significant milestone as it was their 40th game of the season, leading to another edition of the “10 for 10” series, which highlights ten statistics that provide insight into the Kraken’s performance thus far and current outlook.
The Kraken have experienced their best stretch of the season in the past ten games, a stark contrast to the struggles noted in the previous 10 for 10 commentary after Games 21 through 30 in mid-December. This positive change in fortune began with a hard-fought loss against the Colorado Avalanche on December 16.
One significant statistic is the Kraken’s efforts in the Pacific Division. Their rise in the standings coincided with setbacks from other teams in their conference. At the 30-game mark on December 15, the Kraken were in sixth place, but they have since climbed to third, now just one point behind the leading Vegas Golden Knights. Over these last ten games, the Kraken secured five regulation wins against division rivals and, following their win over Calgary, have now defeated every team in the Pacific Division at least once, a feat unmatched by any other team in the division this season. The competition remains fierce, with only three points separating the top six teams.
Another noteworthy improvement comes from their performance in back-to-back game situations. Last season, the Kraken ended with an abysmal record of 0-12-0 in the second game of back-to-backs. However, in this recent stretch, they faced three back-to-backs and managed to collect five out of a possible six points.
The penalty kill, which stood out negatively in the previous games, has also shown remarkable improvement. Adjustments made have resulted in better results over the last ten games.
The importance of scoring first is evident in the Kraken’s success, as they have recorded a 15-5-3 record when opening the scoring compared to 4-9-4 when they fall behind first. This trend continues, with the Kraken scoring first in eight of their last ten games.
From a defensive standpoint, the team has raised their shot-blocking average to 18.4 per game across this stretch, their highest this season. This increase is likely due to their ability to play with a lead, transitioning them into a more defensive structure in the closing minutes of games.
Discussions around the team’s luck and expected goals have been prevalent, as some statistics seem to suggest the Kraken have been consistently outperforming expectations. For instance, the Kraken have won 12 games they were expected to lose, pointing to a distinctive performance style that modifies plays when leading and reduces high-quality chances for opponents.
Goaltending has been another pillar of strength for the Kraken, with Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord delivering solid performances throughout this period. The team has successfully alternated goalies, a strategy that may provide fresh legs as their schedule picks up.
The contributions from the Kraken’s 2021 NHL Draft class have stood out as well, showing impressive league participation despite the team having limited draft resources compared to others. Players like Ryan Winterton and Jacob Melanson are seeing significant playing time and beginning to make an impact.
Moreover, contributions have been coming from all corners of the roster, reminiscent of the depth that propelled the Kraken into the playoffs last season. Notable players like Ryan Lindgren and Cale Fleury scored their first goals, indicating a resurgence of offensive power from previously underestimated sources.
Finally, Eeli Tolvanen has started to find his rhythm after a slow start, gaining recognition by being named to Finland’s Olympic team alongside teammate Kaapo Kakko.
This recent stretch of games portrays the Kraken as a team not only competing for points but also crafting a renewed identity. Their defensive approach is working in tandem with effective goaltending and increased depth, positioning them strongly in the competitive Pacific Division. With significant time left in the season, the Kraken remain in a tight race, but their current trajectory suggests they could be a challenging opponent for any team in the league.