Seattle Kraken – 2023 Playoff Edition
3. Depth Scoring Continues
During the regular season, Seattle was tied for 3rd in the league for the most goals scored. They had six players that scored 20 goals or more and 13 that scored 10 or more.
Their depth proved influential in Game 1, as the three goal scorers were from the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th lines. If the 1st line plays defensive shutdown against MacKinnon and Rantanen (both of whom scored 100+ points this season), the depth scorers can capitalize on their ice time.
The Seattle Kraken showed the league all year that they don’t need to rely on one or two superstars to win games. Instead, they put four high-quality lines on the ice. It lets Head Coach Dave Hakstol to better evenly distribute ice time, preventing player fatigue.
4. Leadership Goes a Long Way
Just because the Seattle Kraken doesn’t have a player that dons the “C” on their sweater doesn’t mean they lack leadership – especially come playoff time. The roster contains players who have won the Stanley Cup in each of the last seven seasons. (Andre Burakovsky – 2018, 2022; Yanni Gourde – 2020, 2021; Philipp Grubauer – 2018; Jaden Schwartz – 2019; Vince Dunn – 2019; Justin Schultz – 2016, 2017).
Their experience is an invaluable and intangible element toward team success. Usually, this is the type of success teams tend to look to acquire at the deadline. Seattle has fortunately had this experience in the locker room all year long, enabling the team to continue gaining chemistry.
Conclusion
There is plenty for Seatt Kraken fans to be excited about. They put the entire league on notice by winning their first-ever playoff game.
Now the question is, “Can they keep this style of play up long term?” Only time will tell. It starts with Thursday night’s Game 2.
One thing is certain: The Seattle Kraken mean business, and the league can’t take them for granted. To the rest of the NHL, don’t sleep on the Kraken; they are coming for you!
