Seattle Kraken Eliminated from NHL Playoffs for 3rd Straight Year

Team's postseason drought continues as they fail to clinch a spot this season.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 5:42am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented hockey game, with overlapping planes of muted blue, green, and gray tones conveying the complexity of an expansion team's struggle to find success.The Seattle Kraken's third straight missed playoff appearance highlights the challenges of building a winning NHL expansion team from scratch.Seattle Today

The Seattle Kraken have been officially eliminated from the 2025-26 NHL playoff race, marking the third consecutive season the team has missed the postseason. Despite having a chance to clinch a playoff berth on Saturday, the Kraken were unable to secure the necessary wins and results from other teams to extend their season.

Why it matters

The Kraken's continued failure to reach the playoffs is a disappointment for the team's fans and the city of Seattle, which was excited to welcome an NHL franchise in 2021. The team's inability to build a consistent winner has raised questions about the organization's long-term direction and plans to become a competitive force in the league.

The details

The Kraken were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday through a combination of their own losses and results from other teams around the league. Even if the Kraken had won their remaining games, they would have still fallen short of the necessary points to claim one of the Western Conference's wild card spots.

  • The Kraken were officially eliminated from the 2025-26 NHL playoff race on April 12, 2026.
  • This marks the third straight season the Kraken have failed to reach the playoffs since joining the NHL in 2021.

The players

Seattle Kraken

An NHL expansion team that began play in the 2021-22 season, based in Seattle, Washington.

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What’s next

The Kraken will now focus on the offseason, where they will look to make roster changes and adjustments in an effort to build a more competitive team for the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The Kraken's continued struggles to reach the playoffs highlight the challenges of building a successful expansion franchise in the NHL. The team and its fans will be hoping for a turnaround next season as the organization looks to establish itself as a consistent playoff contender.