The Kraken split a pair of games over the last week: a solid but not dominant 3-0 win against Nashville and a 2-1 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon. If you had asked me last week whether I would be happy with a split in those two games, I would have said yes. However, there’s something about that Kings game that leaves me disappointed. It was an excellent benchmark to assess how good this Kraken team really is, especially after appearing to turn the corner with a 5-1-0 homestand.
I wouldn’t go so far as to say the Kraken played poorly, but they might not be good enough to compete with teams like the Kings in the standings for the entirety of the season. I say this knowing full well that they beat the top team in the division, the Vegas Golden Knights, just two weeks ago. Maybe it’s a bit of recency bias, but the lackluster performance on Saturday leaves me questioning where this team is headed. With four games against weaker opponents this week, we might not have a clearer answer until the Kraken roll through their New York swing, with a Carolina appetizer.
Do the Seattle Kraken have a scoring problem?
As the Kraken struggled to generate any legitimate scoring chances against the Kings on Saturday, I started to realize there might be a serious goal-scoring issue that feels eerily similar to last season’s team. The Kraken are averaging 2.8 goals per game, which is lower than at this point last season. Over the last 10 games, they are averaging just 2.3 goals per game—the fourth lowest in the league. The absence of Vince Dunn and now Jordan Eberle certainly doesn’t help, but that can’t be the only factor dragging down the team’s scoring. Let’s take a closer look.
Shots and shooting percentage
To better understand the scoring challenges this team faces, let’s examine their shot volume per game and shooting percentage to determine whether it’s a volume issue, a quality issue, or both.
It turns out it’s a bit of both. The Kraken have one of the lowest shooting percentages in the league and rank in the bottom third in shots on goal. Of course, not all shots are created equal, so to assess this further, we need to consider shot quality.
Shot quality
To evaluate shot quality, I analyzed the NaturalStatTrick.com team game logs, focusing on the average number of high-, medium-, and low-danger shots per game.
The Kraken rank sixth lowest in high-danger shots per game and second lowest in medium-danger shots. This mix of lower-quality shot attempts likely contributes to their poor shooting percentage. Unfortunately, I don’t have any specific suggestions or solutions for generating more high-danger chances, but hopefully, the team figures something out soon.
Other musings
- Expect to hear a lot about the milestone of U.S. Thanksgiving in the NHL. Historically, around 80 percent of the teams in a playoff spot at U.S. Thanksgiving end up making the playoffs. Unfortunately, that didn’t help the Kraken last season, as they were in a playoff spot at that time but didn’t make it to the postseason.
- I love the Thanksgiving week schedule, especially with two home-and-home sets against division rivals.
- Speaking of U.S. Thanksgiving—without cheating—five Americans have played for the Seattle Kraken this season. Can you name them?
- The Kraken’s power play has been the worst in the league over their last 10 games.
- Like many of the keyboard coaches on the internet, I think it’s time for Shane Wright to return to the lineup.
- Daniel Sprong’s 18 minutes and 36 seconds against the Kings marked the most ice time he has played in a single game during his 86 appearances for the Kraken.
- The penalty kill has also been struggling lately, operating at 75 percent compared to the league average of 80 percent.
- Following college hockey out west is a challenge, but did you catch Arizona State’s men’s hockey team sweeping top-ranked Denver in Denver this weekend? Denver had a 21-game winning streak coming into the series. I’ve always believed ASU could become a college hockey powerhouse someday.
- The World Junior Championship camp rosters should be announced in the first week of December for the tournament starting later that month. The Kraken could have up to seven players invited to various camp rosters.
- As many of you know, Joe Thornton’s number was retired by the San Jose Sharks over the weekend. I’ve always been a huge “Jumbo” fan. The weekend was filled with great Thornton stories, but none better than the one shared by his former teammate, Doug Murray. I’ve always believed the best way to evaluate an athlete’s character is by their actions when no one is looking. Thanks to Doug for sharing that story.
Player performances
Alexander Wennberg – The former Seattle Kraken center has tallied two goals and three assists over his last four games with the San Jose Sharks. This Saturday will mark Wennberg’s first game back at Climate Pledge Arena.
Joey Daccord – Joey is having an outstanding season, posting a 4-1-0 record with a .945 save percentage over his last five starts.
Carson Rehkopf – The 2023 second-round Kraken draft pick recorded a hat trick over the weekend. Expect to see him on the Canadian World Junior team.
THAT'S A HAT-TRICK FOR REHKOPF!🤩@SeattleKraken prospect Carson Rehkopf makes it three Sunday afternoon, all off of passes from #NHLDraft eligible Porter Martone!🐟🔥#OHL | @CHLHockey | #SeaKraken | @OHLSteelheads pic.twitter.com/pZIFvW4Z7O
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) November 24, 2024
Goal of the week
Former Coachella Valley Firebird, Cameron Hughes scored this little beauty for his new team, the Texas Stars.
HOLY MOLY CAMERON HUGHES 😱
What a way to win it in OT for the @TexasStars!!@TheAHL | #AHL #TXStars #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/CkDWuLgwbx— FloHockey (@FloHockey) November 24, 2024
The week ahead
We circled this week on the schedule as soon as it was released, with four division games against two of the weaker teams. It’s an excellent opportunity to gain ground in the standings, but neither the Anaheim Ducks nor the San Jose Sharks should be taken lightly. Both teams have been playing better recently, and in the NHL, any team can beat any team on any given night.
Anything less than four points out of a possible eight would be a major disappointment, but the target should be six. It’s crucial to bank as many points as possible now because December features the toughest stretch of games the Kraken will face this season.