Kraken Ridiculously Stingy On Defense Since Mid-December

Hidden beneath the surface of a disappointing season, the Seattle Kraken may have uncovered a winning defensive blueprint.

Since breaking an eight game winless streak by shutting out the Florida Panthers Dec. 12, Seattle has been the 4th stingiest defense in the NHL.

Over those past 34 games, the Kraken have allowed 2.26 goals per contest. Only the Panthers (2.21), Jets (2.24) and Hurricanes (2.25) have been better, and not by much. (Source: Statmuse.com )

Kraken Accentuate The Defense-ative

Not coincidentally, that's around the time coach Dave Hakstol and his staff implemented a more defense-first philosophy. Put over-simply, since the Kraken didn't appear they were able to increase scoring, they would have to decrease opponent scoring.

Also not coincidentally, the Kraken have a record of 20-11-4 over those 34 games, good for a .647 winning percentage. Had Seattle maintained that pace over the season to date, they would have the 9th most points in the league.

Joey Daccord To The Resuce

The Dec. 12 date mentioned above is a line of demarcation for one additional reason. Number one goalie Phillip Grubauer suffered a lower body injury during a loss to Tampa Bay three days earlier which would require a lengthy recuperation.

When Joey Daccord beat the defending Eastern Conference champion Panthers 4-0, it began a remarkable run between the pipes which hasn't ended yet. In 16 of his 26 starts since, Daccord has allowed two or fewer goals.

Over those 26 games, Daccord has saved 771 of 825 shots, an eye-popping .935 save percentage.

For the entire season (41 games), Daccord has saved 20.21 goals above average - saves he made that most others probably wouldn't have.

Of 93 netminders who have made an appearance this season, according to NaturalStatTrick.com , Daccord ranks second. Better than Jeremy Swayman, better than Sergei Bobrovsky, better than Thatcher Demko, better than Igor Shesterkin.

(Winnepeg's Connor Hellebuyck is #1, with a 25.22 GSAA.)

"Playoff" Philipp Grubauer Returns

Before his injury, Grubauer had been decidedly "meh," continuing a regular-season trend ever since he was signed to a six year free agent contract in 2021.

But, since returning against the Islanders Feb. 13, he been the sparkling playoff-quality Grubauer who backstopped the Kraken in two thrilling rounds last spring. He's 5-1-0 in seven appearances, with a .943 save percentage.

In only one of those games has he allowed more than two goals, a 4-3 shootout victory over the Boston Bruins - to win that game, he saved all three Bruins shots in the shootout.

Continuing this defensive momentum into the 2024-25 season will be half the equation. To ensure a return to the playoffs, it'll have to be wedded to improved offensive punch.

The off-season mission for general manager Ron Francis and his staff is to acquire offensive weapons, through free agency and/or packaging prospects/picks/roster players in trades.