Kraken

Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) celebrates his goal against Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

McCann returns, but Kraken lose to Stars in Game 4

Seattle gets its top scorer back from injury, but Dallas wins 6-3 to even the series at 2-2.

Dallas Stars center Roope Hintz (24) celebrates his goal against Seattle Kraken goaltender Philipp Grubauer (31) during the second period of Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Tuesday, May 9, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger looks on as the Seattle Kraken celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Commentary: Kraken’s Game 3 rout serves as playoff declaration

Seattle not only belongs with the best teams in the league, but should be as feared as any other team remaining in the playoffs.

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger looks on as the Seattle Kraken celebrate a goal during the second period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series Sunday, May 7, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn (29) and Dallas Stars' Wyatt Johnston (53) compete for control of the puck in the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Patterson: Kraken trying to prove depth trumps star power

The Stanley Cup playoffs are supposed to be about the stars, not a team like Seattle. Yet, here they are, in a battle in Round 2.

Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn (29) and Dallas Stars' Wyatt Johnston (53) compete for control of the puck in the first period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, Thursday, May 4, 2023, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Stars’ Wyatt Johnston (53) and Colin Miller (6) celebrate with the bench after Johnston scored as the Kraken’s Ryan Donato (9) and Alex Wennberg (21) skate past in the second period of Game 2 of second-round playoff series Thursday in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Stars defeat Kraken in Game 2, even playoff series 1-1

Joe Pavelski scores his fifth goal of the series as Dallas tops Seattle 4-2.

The Stars’ Wyatt Johnston (53) and Colin Miller (6) celebrate with the bench after Johnston scored as the Kraken’s Ryan Donato (9) and Alex Wennberg (21) skate past in the second period of Game 2 of second-round playoff series Thursday in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Kraken players celebrate after Yanni Gourde scored in overtime of Game 1 of a second-round playoff series against the Stars on Tuesday in Dallas. The Kraken won 5-4. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Gourde scores in OT to lift Kraken past Stars in Game 1

Seattle earns a crucial 5-4 win on the road despite four goals from Dallas’ Joe Pavelski.

Kraken players celebrate after Yanni Gourde scored in overtime of Game 1 of a second-round playoff series against the Stars on Tuesday in Dallas. The Kraken won 5-4. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
From left, Kraken center Jaden Schwartz, defenseman Jamie Oleksiak and goaltender Philipp Grubauer celebrate as time runs out in the third period of Game 7 of a first-round playoff series against the Avalanche on Sunday in Denver. The Kraken won 2-1 to advance to the next round. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Kraken beat Avalanche in Game 7, eliminate defending champs

Seattle becomes the first expansion team to beat the reigning Stanley Cup champs in their inaugural playoff series, according to NHL Stats.

From left, Kraken center Jaden Schwartz, defenseman Jamie Oleksiak and goaltender Philipp Grubauer celebrate as time runs out in the third period of Game 7 of a first-round playoff series against the Avalanche on Sunday in Denver. The Kraken won 2-1 to advance to the next round. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and left wing Artturi Lehkonen celebrate a goal by Erik Johnson against the Seattle Kraken during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 28, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Avalanche defeat Kraken, force decisive Game 7

Artturi Lehkonen scores twice as Colorado staves off elimination with a 4-1 win in Seattle.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) and left wing Artturi Lehkonen celebrate a goal by Erik Johnson against the Seattle Kraken during the second period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 28, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Kraken forward Tye Kartye (front) celebrates his goal with defenseman Will Borgen during the second period of Game 5 of a first-round playoff series against the Avalanche on Wednesday in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Kraken edge Avalanche in Game 5, take crucial 3-2 series lead

Tye Kartye scores in his NHL debut and Seattle wins 3-2 to pull within a win of stunning the defending champs in the first round.

Kraken forward Tye Kartye (front) celebrates his goal with defenseman Will Borgen during the second period of Game 5 of a first-round playoff series against the Avalanche on Wednesday in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle (7) celebrates scoring to win the game as Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8), left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) react during overtime of Game 4 of first-round playoff series Monday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Kraken beat Avalanche in OT, even playoff series 2-2

Seattle squanders another early lead, but Jordan Eberle’s overtime goal gives the Kraken a thrilling 3-2 win.

Kraken right wing Jordan Eberle (7) celebrates scoring to win the game as Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8), left wing Artturi Lehkonen (62) and goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) react during overtime of Game 4 of first-round playoff series Monday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) reacts after scoring against the Seattle Kraken during the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Avalanche spoil Kraken’s home playoff debut

Colorado scores three third-period goals and pulls away to gain a 2-1 series lead.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) reacts after scoring against the Seattle Kraken during the first period of Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Kraken can’t hold early lead, fall to Avalanche in Game 2

Seattle leaps out 2-0 after one period, but Colorado scores three unanswered goals to win 3-2 and even the series at 1-1.

Seattle Kraken right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) celebrates a goal by right wing Eeli Tolvanen (20) on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar George (40) during the first period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Kraken top Avalanche in 1st playoff game in franchise history

Seattle wins 3-1 over the defending champions to becomes the 13th expansion franchise to earn a win in their first postseason game.

Seattle Kraken right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) celebrates a goal by right wing Eeli Tolvanen (20) on Colorado Avalanche goaltender Alexandar George (40) during the first period in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Tuesday, April 18, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy sends the puck past Arizona Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Kraken clinch first playoff berth

Seattle’s 4-2 victory over Arizona on Thursday sent the second-year franchise to the postseason.

Seattle Kraken defenseman Carson Soucy sends the puck past Arizona Coyotes right wing Christian Fischer, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, April 6, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Kraken's Jaycob Megna (44) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Elmont, N.Y. The Islanders won 4-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Kraken stay quiet, no extra moves at NHL trade deadline

Seattle GM Ron Francis says the team believes in the current group.

Seattle Kraken's Jaycob Megna (44) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, in Elmont, N.Y. The Islanders won 4-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Seattle. The Kraken won 4-1. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Tanev’s effort endears him to Kraken teammates

“He can fly around all night,” teammate Will Borgen said.

Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game against the New York Islanders, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Seattle. The Kraken won 4-1. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers, left, skates against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Alex Killorn during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Surprising Kraken in thick of playoff race in West

After an underwhelming expansion season, Seattle has posted a 29-15-5 record heading into the All-Star break.

Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers, left, skates against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Alex Killorn during the first period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Seattle. The Canadiens won 4-2. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Kraken notebook: Beniers earns 1st NHL All-Star selection

Also, 1st-round pick Shane Wright reassigned to juniors.

Seattle Kraken forward Matty Beniers skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Seattle. The Canadiens won 4-2. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
The Pittsburgh Penguins play against the Boston Bruins during the first period of the NHL Winter Classic hockey game at Fenway Park, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

NHL announces Winter Classic in 2024 will be at T-Mobile Park

The Seattle Kraken will host the Vegas Golden Knights in the annual outdoor hockey showcase.

The Pittsburgh Penguins play against the Boston Bruins during the first period of the NHL Winter Classic hockey game at Fenway Park, Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Seattle. The Canadiens won 4-2. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)

Kraken’s Eberle has mastered lost NHL art

Using the ‘Modano curve,’ the forward has one of the best backhanded shots in the league.

Seattle Kraken forward Jordan Eberle skates with the puck during an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens, Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, in Seattle. The Canadiens won 4-2. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Seattle Kraken right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Kraken still waiting on Bjorkstrand to become high-scoring self

Seattle’s winger hasn’t shown the offensive prowess he displayed last season with Columbus.

Seattle Kraken right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)