The expansion Seattle Kraken plays sound defense last season but are completely undone by a lack of goal scoring. This season, SEA’s way up in 5v5 shots (22nd to 15th during the NHL regular season) and goals (28th to 1st!).
Most of this impressive improvement has to do with their player additions, with Game 7 hero Oliver Bjorkstrand headlining a list of skilled, pacy new forwards.
In terms of Xs and Os, the Kraken don’t make wholesale changes. The difference between the feckless 2021-22 edition and the high-scoring 2022-23 team is more in timing than in tactics.
Broadly speaking, last year’s Seattle Kraken play slow, preferring to settle down and get organized before attempting to go through all five opposing skaters.
This year, SEA plays fast. During the Colorado series we see Krakens (Fs and Ds) quickly jump on DZ and NZ turnovers before the Avs could set up their defensive structure.
NZ Re-Entry
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