The Seattle Kraken are back in the thick of NHL action, and after a turbulent week on the ice, the team is fighting tooth and nail to keep their postseason dreams alive. With the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs looming in late April, every game, every goal, and every bounce of the puck seems to carry a little more weight in the Emerald City. The past seven days have been anything but dull for the Kraken, who have endured tough losses, celebrated key victories, and navigated roster shakeups—all while the trade deadline looms on the horizon.
Seattle’s return from the Olympic break was, frankly, a bit rocky. The Kraken stumbled out of the gate with two consecutive road defeats: a 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars and a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of the St. Louis Blues. The setback against the Blues was particularly jarring, given that St. Louis was languishing near the bottom of the league standings and missing one of their top players, Robert Thomas. In the ultra-competitive world of the NHL, upsets happen, but with playoff spots up for grabs, fans and coaches alike were left scratching their heads at the lackluster effort.
But the mood in Seattle shifted dramatically on Saturday, February 29, 2026. The Kraken returned home to Climate Pledge Arena and delivered a statement 5-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks. Jordan Eberle, the team’s captain and veteran forward, was the star of the night, notching two goals and an assist. It was his 10th three-point game in a Kraken sweater, and remarkably, his 28th career goal against Vancouver—his highest tally against any opponent. “He shoots, he scores,” quipped one local broadcaster, capturing the excitement in the building. According to NHL.com, Eberle’s performance was yet another reminder of his enduring skill and leadership, especially as the playoff race heats up.
The Kraken wasted no time establishing control, jumping out to a 2-0 lead midway through the first period. Although the Canucks briefly narrowed the gap in the second, the game felt one-sided for most of the night. Seattle’s power play, which had been mired in an 0-for-8 slump since the Olympic break, finally broke through with a goal—a much-needed confidence boost for the special teams unit. The Kraken’s ability to capitalize on the man advantage could prove pivotal in the tight playoff race ahead.
Behind the scenes, head coach Dave Hakstol and his staff have been tinkering with the forward lines, searching for the right chemistry in the season’s crucial stretch. The trio of Matty Beniers, Jordan Eberle, and Jared McCann has remained a constant, providing stability and offensive punch. Meanwhile, a new line featuring Shane Wright, Berkly Catton, and Kaapo Kakko showed flashes of brilliance against Vancouver, generating nine shot attempts and several odd-man rushes, though the finishing touch eluded them. There’s growing optimism that this youthful combination could start generating goals with a bit more time together.
Consistency has been a hallmark when the Kraken get ahead early. In fact, Saturday’s contest marked the 22nd time this season that Seattle held a two-goal lead at any point—and they’ve yet to lose in any of those games. Only the Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche share that distinction, underscoring the Kraken’s ability to protect a cushion once they build it.
While the team’s focus is squarely on the playoff push, the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, March 6, 2026, adds another layer of intrigue. General manager Ron Francis faces tough decisions regarding several pending free agents, including Jamie Oleksiak, Jaden Schwartz, and Eeli Tolvanen. Although Jordan Eberle is also on an expiring contract, most insiders believe he’ll stay put unless he requests a move to a true Stanley Cup contender. “It would not surprise me to see one or two Kraken pending free agents signed to an extension before the trade deadline,” noted a team insider, hinting at possible last-minute negotiations.
Roster changes aren’t limited to trades. This week, the Kraken lost Tye Kartye on waivers—a tough blow for fans who remember his fairytale debut in the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs, when he scored in his very first NHL game. “FIRST GOAL. FIRST GAME,” celebrated ROOT SPORTS™ | NW at the time, a memory that still resonates with the Seattle faithful.
On the developmental front, the organization is keeping close tabs on its prospects. Julius Miettinen, Seattle’s 2024 second-round pick, exploded for seven goals and four assists over three games last week and currently ranks second in the WHL in points per game. Defenseman Alexis Bernier, a 2024 third-rounder, has bounced back from injury with 10 points in 13 games since returning in January, including three assists in two games last weekend. These young talents could see NHL action soon, especially with the post-deadline call-up window approaching.
Despite the recent ups and downs, the Kraken’s playoff hopes remain very much alive. As of March 2, 2026, their playoff odds are off the board, a sign that bookmakers see them as a strong postseason candidate. Seattle’s playoff history is brief but memorable: the franchise has only made the playoffs once in its four seasons, reaching the second round in 2023 after a dramatic seven-game victory over the Colorado Avalanche before bowing out to the Dallas Stars. They missed the dance last year, finishing seventh in the Pacific Division, but the hunger to return is palpable throughout the organization.
Looking ahead, the Kraken face a daunting schedule. Monday night brings a clash with the Carolina Hurricanes, who currently sit second in the league and are riding an impressive 8-0-2 streak over their last ten games. Seattle has split its previous meetings with Carolina at home, and when the teams met in Raleigh back in January, the Kraken managed to hold a third-period lead despite being outshot. Wednesday’s rematch with the Blues offers a chance for redemption after last week’s disappointing loss, while Saturday’s showdown with the Ottawa Senators promises plenty of desperation from both sides as the playoff race intensifies.
For the Kraken, these games are critical, but there’s no sense of panic. As one team insider put it, “These games are critical, but I am not going to be overdramatic and call them ‘must-win’ games. Obviously, wins are important, but if they can capture three of six points, they will be fine to stay in the playoff hunt. Four would be good, and five would be fantastic.”
With the trade deadline looming, a challenging schedule ahead, and postseason hopes hanging in the balance, the coming week could define the Kraken’s season. One thing’s for sure: Seattle fans are in for a wild ride as their team battles for a coveted playoff spot and a chance to write a new chapter in their young franchise history.