5 Ways the Seattle Kraken Can End the Season Positively

As Vegas Golden Knights ahead Jack Eichel slid the puck previous Seattle Kraken netminder Philipp Grubauer in overtime on Tuesday, March 12, the Kraken devoted knew issues appeared bleak. The hosts had a 4-2 lead in the third interval and wanted to win the match to maintain their playoff aspirations on life assist. Worse, they’re trailing Vegas in the standings. With little hope left, how can the Kraken put a optimistic spin on the ultimate month of the common season?

To be clear, Seattle isn’t mathematically eradicated from postseason competition. They path the Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings by 9 factors and have 18 contests to play. Anything can occur. Is it seemingly? Not actually, and positively not with Seattle’s inconsistencies all season – and that the defending champs are the ones they must leap-frog over. The Kings aren’t any pushover both – they’ve made the playoffs a couple of seasons in a row. 

Related: Chicago Blackhawks 2023-24 Obituary: From First Pick to First Out

There are nonetheless a couple of vital facets the squad can work on to go into the offseason with some pep. The underlying argument is, naturally, “keep on fighting!” however we’ll concentrate on 5 issues that may be improved on, even when Seattle will get mathematically eradicated quickly. An Andrew Forbes workforce obituary feels inevitable.

1. Kraken Need to Handle Overtime Better

Among the extra flustering statistics regarding head coach Dave Hakstol’s ensemble, Seattle has fallen 12 occasions this 12 months in additional time or a shootout – seven in the further five-minute session and 5 by way of the shootout. Knowing that the Kraken path their closest rivals by 9 factors, there may be lots of “what if?” at play. Only two groups have suffered extra losses after regulation: the Boston Bruins (15) and New York Islanders (14).

The trendy recreation is so aggressive that each workforce performs a number of additional time video games in the common season. Even the greatest groups like the Edmonton Oilers can’t win all of them – they’ve fallen 3 times in OT. But had Seattle received 4 or 5 extra, then the factors discrepancy between them and the groups holding onto the first and second wild-card spots can be manageable. 

2. Seattle Can Improve the Goal Differential

Here is a statistic that usually will get misplaced after we discuss efficiency: aim differential. 

Wins and losses are apparent. Points leaders, energy play effectivity, goals-against averages, and many others. Those are all vital, however aim differential says lots. At the time of writing, the Kraken have a minus-6. Yes, the Philadelphia Flyers are a minus-1 and in a playoff spot, however that’s an outlier. Making the playoffs could be very troublesome for a workforce that coughs up extra targets than they rating, even when the distinction is minimal. It occurs typically, like the 2021-22 Dallas Stars, who made it in with a minus-8 – however I wouldn’t guess on these odds.

Numerous that has to do with the Kraken’s lack of constant offense from gamers like Matty Beniers, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Jared McCann, to call a couple of. It’s been a troublesome 12 months in that respect. Grubauer and Joey Daccord have lots of heavy lifting to do and have carried out admirably, however they aren’t Dominik Hasek. 

3. Make Climate Pledge Arena a Fortress

Granted, the pattern measurement is comparatively small. The Kraken haven’t accomplished their third 12 months of operations but. Even so, how they’ve fared enjoying in entrance of their supporters hints at a fixable drawback.

The franchise has performed 112 matches at Climate Pledge Arena with a 50-51-13 report. The concern ought to be apparent. Visiting golf equipment haven’t any cause to concern enjoying the Kraken in Seattle. Not to beat a useless horse, however let’s convey up OT and shootout losses another time. That they characterize a novel statistical column is comprehensible. Losing nonetheless awards a workforce one level.

But it’s nonetheless a loss. In reality, the Kraken are 50-64 at house all-time. This season’s house report is 14-12-6. It virtually appears good till you understand that, by way of wins and losses, they’re 14-18. Despite making the postseason in 2022-23, the Kraken had been no higher than 20-17-4 at Climate Pledge, so actually 20-21. The nice groups defend house ice, court docket, grass, or turf. That’s not the case with the Kraken. It’s a nice arena, nevertheless it shouldn’t be a nice go to for opponents.

4. Make Life Miserable for the Kings, Jets, Knights

Seattle most likely received’t make the playoffs. The Kings and Golden Knights have performed higher. Even the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues, though not but seeded, have earned extra factors. 

This is the time of 12 months after we have a look at ethical victories, nevertheless anathema that sounds to the die-hard fanatics. There is a time period in skilled sports activities that will get bandied about: “Playing spoiler.” Go and make life depressing for the Wild and Blues throughout the final week of the season after they would possibly nonetheless have an opportunity. Heck, annoy the Golden Knights on March 21 and the Kings on April 3. Do the Winnipeg Jets suppose they’ll seize the Central Division? Tell them, “Think again!” on April 16. If a workforce isn’t going to win a lot in a given season, the least it may do is annoy its rivals. 

5. Finish in the Top Half of Power Play and Penalty Kill Rankings

We know Seattle struggles to mild the lamp. Despite what ails them offensively, they’ve been comparatively environment friendly on the energy play this season. The Kraken rank 18^th with the man benefit, producing targets on 20.8 p.c of their alternatives. Considering that total the membership is 28^th in scoring per match, 18^th all of the sudden doesn’t look too shabby.

Similarly, Seattle has performed a succesful job of killing penalties this season. They survive 79.1 p.c of their penalty kills, good for 17^th. Climb up these ranks and sneak into the high half of the NHL. Power play effectivity and penalty killing are sometimes make-or-break stats in the league. Every membership has to discover ways to take benefit when an opposing participant is distributed to the sin bin and the best way to get by when considered one of theirs serves punishment. Seattle received’t climb from 18^th and 17^th to first in both class. Even the high 10 is asking for lots. But cracking the high half can be a pleasant feather of their cap. 

If the Kraken can accomplish these 5 aims, then the franchise can enter the summer season realizing it not solely put in a superb effort however has foundations to construct upon for subsequent season. They aren’t removed from being related. Decent groups can miss the playoffs. That’s a actuality. As the previous saying goes, the satan is in the particulars.