It is time for another edition of 10‑for‑10, where we identify 10 metrics that tell the story of the Seattle Kraken’s last 10 games and how they relate to their current position in the standings. The Kraken remain in the mix for a Pacific Division or wild card playoff spot, but they didn’t do themselves any favors over the last 10 games, going 3‑5‑2 in that span. They also dropped two critical matchups to teams in a similar position, while every other playoff contender in the Pacific Division outperformed them. That leads us to our first data point.

Data point 1: Losing ground

From a points‑percentage standpoint, the Kraken have only outperformed the Vancouver Canucks in the Pacific Division, while every other team either gained ground or created separation.

When this 10‑game stretch started on Dec. 6, the Kraken were third in the Pacific and within one point of the division‑leading Vegas Golden Knights. As of Sunday, Jan. 25, the Kraken are now sixth in the Pacific and nine points back of the Golden Knights. That doesn’t even account for the Utah Mammoth jumping them in the wild card race, or the Nashville Predators surging to just one point behind the Kraken.

Data point 2: Goals for and against, minus empty‑net goals

Some positive news: the Kraken scored more goals, excluding empty‑netters, over the last 10 games than they did in any prior 10‑game segment. The negative: they also allowed the most goals against in that same window.

I don’t think it’s totally sincere to look at the increase in goal scoring and assume this is all good, because some of it might be a byproduct of playing from behind. We’ve talked about it all season: this team is comfortable playing tight games, and when holding a lead, they prioritize preventing offense over generating it. That suppresses their scoring. When they’re chasing, they don’t have that luxury.

Data point 3: Game time spent by goal differential

The last 10 games featured the highest percentage of time the Kraken have spent playing from behind. They were down 2‑0 in five of the 10 games. They clawed back in several of them, but allowing the first two goals is a recipe for disaster, and it showed in the results.

And in order to be down 2‑0, you first have to be down 1‑0.

Data point 4: Trailing first

The Kraken have a .700 points percentage when scoring the first goal and a .360 points percentage when allowing the first goal. They allowed the first goal in eight of the last 10 games, the most in any 10‑game segment this season.

In six of those eight games, they allowed the opening goal within the first five minutes. That kind of behavior can be demoralizing, and at home, it can suck the energy right out of the building.

Data point 5: Special teams

One positive area for the Kraken has been their special teams. Since Jan. 6, when this 10‑game segment started, they have the second‑best power‑play conversion rate in the league and a slightly better‑than‑league‑average penalty kill.

The power play has been good all season, ranked ninth in the league as of Sunday morning, and they’re whipping the puck around like I’ve never seen in their brief franchise history. Special teams have been fun to watch lately, apart from one particular issue that keeps popping up…

Data point 6: Short-handed goals against

One of the ugliest parts of the last 10 games has been the Kraken allowing short-handed goals in four of the last five games. All four came at critical times, and they went on to lose all four of those games. Each one seemed to happen in its own unique, maddening way.

Let’s talk about something a little more fun, shall we?

Data point 7: Berkly Catton shot attempts and goals

It was early in this 10‑game segment, but Berkly Catton scored his first four goals of his career in this span and has also been generating more shot attempts per game. He’s playing with confidence and seems to showcase more of his skill with every outing.

Data point 8: Shot attempts on target

A theme that has crept into my mind lately is the feeling that this team has been a bit unlucky shooting the puck. There have been several moments where the Kraken hit the post or crossbar at a critical juncture. I always tend to think these things even out over time and that no team is truly lucky or unlucky over a full season… but the timing can be critical.

There’s no official stat for posts or crossbars, but one potential proxy is “shots on target.” The formula is simple: (goals + shots on goal) / total shot attempts. The theory is that they’re shooting plenty but not putting enough on net. The NHL classifies posts and crossbars as missed shots, not shots on goal.

A lot more research would need to go into this, but the Kraken are not hitting the target at the same rate they were during their little run back into the playoff picture.

Sidenote, the Kraken are 28th in the league in shot attempts per game.

Data point 9: The often‑overlooked contributions from Ben Meyers

I’ve talked about him on the Sound Of Hockey Podcast but haven’t mentioned him here, so I want to shout out Ben Meyers for everything he’s brought this season.

Meyers bounced up and down between Coachella Valley in the first couple months of the year but was a permanent fixture from Dec. 9 until his recent injury.

He has been a critical piece of that fourth line and a key part of the penalty‑kill turnaround. His numbers are modest, but he has posted career highs across all scoring categories and was on pace to surpass his most games played in a single season before landing on injured reserve Friday morning.

His last 10 games have been his most impactful stretch for the Kraken, and likely of his entire career.

Meyers being listed on injured reserve as week‑to‑week is concerning and likely means he’s out until after the Olympic break.

Data point 10: Center depth

Including Meyers, the Kraken have six players on the roster they’ve deployed at center this season, and all have shown they can handle the position regularly, not just out of necessity.

To be clear, this does include Catton, who has been used primarily as a winger lately but did play center for six games earlier in the season. It also doesn’t include Oscar Fisker Mølgaard or John Hayden, both of whom the Kraken have used at center at various points. It’s an area of depth for the team, and one that could come into play at the trade deadline.

Wrapping it up

When you zoom out on these 10 games, the picture is pretty clear: the Kraken are still very much in the hunt, but they’ve made the climb steeper than it needed to be. Slow starts, shorthanded stumbles, and a little bad puck luck have all chipped away at the margin for error, even as bright spots like Catton’s emergence, Meyers’ reliability, and the power play’s contributions offer reasons to stay invested. With the standings tightening, the next 10 games will be critical to figuring out their approach to the trade deadline.