Kraken Prepare for 'Sprint' to Playoffs After Olympic Break

Seattle team looks to build on strong pre-Olympic play as they return to the ice with 26 games left in the regular season.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Seattle Kraken have returned to practice after the Winter Olympic break, with the team in a good position to make the playoffs for the second time in franchise history. The Kraken went 15-6-3 in their last 24 games before the Olympic pause and are looking to maintain that pace over the final 26 games of the regular season. The team knows they have a short window to secure a playoff spot and are focused on a 'playoff mentality' as they prepare to resume their season next week against the Dallas Stars.

Why it matters

The Kraken are in a strong position to make the playoffs this season, which would be a significant accomplishment for the young franchise. After missing the playoffs in their first few seasons, the team is eager to build on their recent success and give their fans a chance to experience postseason hockey.

The details

The Kraken returned to practice on Tuesday, with forward Jared McCann describing it as feeling 'just like training camp again' after the nearly two-week Olympic break. The team is missing three players - forwards Eeli Tolvanen and Kaapo Kakko and goalie Philipp Grubauer - who are still competing in the Olympics. Coach Lane Lambert is working to get the team back up to speed, focusing on 'competition in some tight areas' and 'game-like situations' to prepare them for the final push. The Kraken know they have a short window of just 26 games left to secure a playoff spot, with McCann saying the 'mindset is, we've got to come in and we've got to play every game like it's our last.'

  • The Kraken went 15-6-3 in their last 24 games before the Olympic break.
  • The Kraken will resume their season on February 22 against the Dallas Stars.

The players

Jared McCann

A forward for the Seattle Kraken who is eager to make the playoffs after missing them in previous seasons.

Lane Lambert

The head coach of the Seattle Kraken, who is working to get the team back up to speed and prepared for the final stretch of the regular season.

Brandon Montour

A defenseman for the Seattle Kraken who won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers and knows what it takes to succeed in the playoffs.

Eeli Tolvanen

A forward for the Seattle Kraken who is currently competing in the Olympics for Finland.

Kaapo Kakko

A forward for the Seattle Kraken who is also competing in the Olympics for Finland.

Philipp Grubauer

The goaltender for the Seattle Kraken who is representing Germany in the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Mentally, it's getting your mindset back. And saying, 'Look, we're in a good spot here and we've got to keep winning games.'”

— Jared McCann, Forward (nhl.com)

“You want to play for something. That's why we do it.”

— Jared McCann, Forward (nhl.com)

“Once we start, it's six weeks right to the end. So, it is a sprint. We're in a time now where it's got to be a playoff mentality right to the end.”

— Brandon Montour, Defenseman (nhl.com)

“It is a sprint. Because before you know it, you're all of a sudden going to have under 20 games left and then after that, you're going to be down in the 10 range. And so, it's an important stretch of practice and then the sprint is on.”

— Lane Lambert, Head Coach (nhl.com)

What’s next

The Kraken will fly to Dallas on February 20 and resume their season against the Stars on February 22, kicking off a stretch of 26 games in 6 weeks as they push for a playoff spot.

The takeaway

The Kraken have put themselves in a strong position to make the playoffs for the second time in franchise history, but they know they have a short window to secure that spot. With a 'playoff mentality' and a focus on maintaining the pace they set before the Olympic break, the team is determined to take advantage of this opportunity and give their fans a chance to experience postseason hockey.