As the NHL enters Week 24, the Seattle Kraken are making their presence known in the Power Rankings. After a strong start to the season, the Kraken have been steadily climbing the rankings and are now in a prime position to make a run at the playoffs.
The Kraken currently sit at 11th in the overall NHL Power Rankings, with a record of 15-10-3. This puts them just one point behind the 8th place Arizona Coyotes, who currently hold the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Kraken have been on a hot streak recently, winning four of their last five games and earning points in five of their last six.
The Kraken have been led by their offense, which is ranked 12th in the league in goals per game. They have been able to score goals in bunches, with their top line of Tyler Johnson, J.T. Miller, and Mitchy Kero leading the way. The trio has combined for 42 goals and 85 points this season, and they will be key to the Kraken’s success in the playoffs.
The Kraken’s defense has also been solid this season, ranking 11th in goals against per game. They have been anchored by goaltender Ilya Samsonov, who has posted a .917 save percentage and 2.48 goals against average this season. The defense has also been bolstered by the addition of veteran defenseman Nate Schmidt, who has provided a stabilizing presence on the blue line.
The Kraken have also been bolstered by their special teams play, which ranks 8th in the league in both power play and penalty kill percentages. Their power play has been especially effective, as they have scored on 23% of their opportunities this season.
As the playoffs approach, the Kraken are in a great position to make a run at the postseason. With their offense firing on all cylinders and their defense and special teams playing well, they have all the pieces in place to make a deep run in the playoffs. The only question now is whether or not they can continue their strong play and secure a playoff spot.
