Seattle Kraken Miss Playoffs for 3rd Straight Season

Penalty kill struggles and lack of offense down the stretch doomed the team's postseason hopes.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:36pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes in navy, green, and grey tones, conceptually representing the disjointed and fragmented nature of the Kraken's season.The Kraken's struggles on special teams and inconsistent offensive production are reflected in this fragmented, cubist-inspired illustration of a hockey match.Seattle Today

The Seattle Kraken have failed to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season. Despite having young, talented players like Matty Beniers and Shane Wright, the team struggled with scoring issues and a league-worst penalty kill, leading to their elimination from playoff contention. However, the strong goaltending duo of Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer provides optimism for the future, along with several promising prospects in the system.

Why it matters

The Kraken's inability to make the playoffs for three straight seasons is a disappointment for the franchise and its fans, who were hoping to see the team build on its surprise playoff appearance in its second season. The team's struggles with scoring and special teams have prevented them from taking the next step, and they will need to address these issues in the offseason to become a consistent playoff contender.

The details

The Kraken's offensive woes were a major factor in their elimination, as they averaged just 2.78 goals per game, one of the lowest totals in the NHL. Their leading scorer, 35-year-old Jordan Eberle, had 55 points, while young stars like Matty Beniers and Chandler Stephenson struggled to match their previous production. The team's penalty kill was also a major issue, ranking last in the league at 71.6%, including just 67.7% on the road. Despite being one of the least penalized teams in the NHL, the Kraken's struggles short-handed proved to be their undoing.

  • The Kraken were eliminated from playoff contention on April 12, 2026, when the Los Angeles Kings defeated the Edmonton Oilers.
  • The Kraken have not qualified for the playoffs since their second NHL season in 2022-23, when they upset the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Colorado Avalanche, in the first round before losing to the Dallas Stars in the second round.

The players

Matty Beniers

A 23-year-old forward who won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2022-23, but has been unable to match that production in subsequent seasons. He has star potential and is in the second year of a seven-year, $50 million contract.

Shane Wright

The Kraken's first-round pick (4th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft, Wright had a breakout season with 44 points in 79 games last year, but has struggled this season with just 26 points in 72 games.

Joey Daccord

The Kraken's starting goaltender, Daccord is in the first year of a five-year, $25 million contract. He had a 3.03 goals-against average and .897 save percentage in 47 games this season.

Philipp Grubauer

The Kraken's veteran goaltender, Grubauer is in the final year of a six-year, $35.4 million contract. He had a 2.65 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 32 games this season.

Jordan Eberle

The Kraken's 35-year-old leading scorer, Eberle had 55 points (26 goals, 29 assists) in 77 games this season.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to be more consistent offensively and improve our penalty kill if we want to get back to the playoffs. The goaltending has been solid, but we need more production from our young stars.”

— Dave Hakstol, Head Coach, Seattle Kraken

What’s next

The Kraken will look to address their scoring and special teams issues in the offseason, either through free agency, trades, or player development. They have eight picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, including their own first-round selection, which could help them add more young talent to the roster.

The takeaway

The Kraken's third straight missed playoff appearance highlights the challenges of building a consistent winner in the NHL, even with a talented young core. While the team's goaltending provides a solid foundation, they will need to find ways to generate more offense and improve their special teams play if they want to return to the postseason and take the next step as a franchise.