The Seattle Kraken are currently in a promising position as they gear up to take on the Vancouver Canucks. With a winning percentage of .528, the Kraken find themselves in an NHL playoff spot—an encouraging development as they chase the second wild card position in the Western Conference, currently held by the Sharks, who have a .513 win percentage and have played two more games.
As of December 29, the Kraken have completed 36 games in their 82-game season, and their future is still in their hands. If they are unable to secure a playoff spot, the team will have only themselves to blame for not capitalizing on this critical moment in the season.
Recent performances highlight a new sense of momentum for Seattle, especially evidenced in the synergy between teammates Eeli Tolvanen and Chandler Stephenson. The duo made a significant impact in the Kraken’s decisive 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, contributing three goals in the third period alone. Tolvanen is on a six-game point streak, with multiple points in three of his last four outings. Meanwhile, Stephenson has been equally impressive, marking points in ten of his last eleven games.
In goal, Philipp Grubauer has proven to be a key figure, emerging as part of a 1A, 1B starting rotation alongside Joey Daccord. Kraken head coach Lane Lambert now finds himself with limited options, as both goalies have been performing well, particularly Grubauer, who appears to have regained his best form.
The team’s power play has also gained traction, successfully scoring during five of their last six opportunities, showing significant improvement and consistency.
Interestingly, the Kraken’s recent success comes despite being out-shot in their last four victories, demonstrating that their focus on quality chances and effective goaltending is paying off. This stands in contrast to previous games where the team struggled to secure wins despite out-shooting their opponents.
Reflecting on the challenges of the season, Lambert acknowledges the ups and downs that come with NHL play, noting that teams must find their way through tough periods. Just two weeks ago, the Kraken faced a challenging stretch, losing eight of nine games; however, they appear to be on an upward trajectory now.
As the Kraken look to maintain this positive momentum, their commitment and resilience will be paramount in navigating the remainder of the season. Fans and players alike are hopeful for the continuation of this winning streak.