NHL Seattle Kraken: Why Aren’t Sportsbooks Taking Them Seriously Yet

Published:Nov 1, 2026Nov 1, 20262 min read

Updated:Nov 1, 2026Nov 1, 2026

Fact Checker

Seattle Kraken Underlying Data Insights - image

The Seattle Kraken have eight wins in their first 14 games. Their 17 points have them tied with the Colorado Avalanche (Stanley Cup Contender) and the Dallas Stars (Stanley Cup Contender) in the Western Standings.

They are on pace for 102 points in 84 games.

Reasons To Love The Kraken

In six of their 14 games this season, Seattle has scored AT LEAST five goals. Teams win a lot of games when they score five or more.
With 52 goals in 14 games, the Kraken are averaging 3.71 goals per game. (7th best league-wide)
Sportsbooks currently have them listed at +200 to Make the Playoffs; they are currently in a playoff position, with 17% of the season completed.

The Ducks, Blues, Sharks, and Kings are all currently behind Seattle in the Western Conference Standings. All four teams are priced as more likely to make the playoffs than the Kraken.

Why?

Cracks in the Kraken Data

I can’t be the first person to use that headline. Judging Seattle by wins, losses, and goals scored paints an optimistic picture. But is that optimism justified? Uh oh. A deeper dive into the Kraken’s analytics reveals some offensive concerns, despite their early-season production.

The 43% shot-attempt share ranks Seattle last in the Western Conference.
The Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues both have High-Danger Share percentages over 50%. That helps explain why sportsbooks haven’t been quick to slot them below Seattle.
Expected-Goal Share at 45% reinforces the point that they’re consistently being outchanced.

Is Seattle Kraked Beyond Repair?

Seattle currently has an unsustainable 14.5% shooting percentage.
Their 5-on-5 expected goal share is 43.4% (Ranked 28th)
Their 23% Power Play is tied for 12th league-wide.

Those numbers will be hard to maintain over an 84-game NHL season. The 14.5% shooting percentage is second in the league, behind only the Edmonton Oilers.

5 More Reasons Why Sportsbooks Haven’t Bought In:

Seattle are currently:

32nd in Corsi.
29th in Fenwick.
28th in five-on-five expected-goal share.
24th in high-danger chance share.
24th in expected goals against per game.

At this point of the season, the Kraken’s data and their actual points don’t line up. Seattle has won more games than their metrics would suggest. Sportsbooks are skeptical of their long-term success.

About the Author: Malcolm Darnley

Malcolm loves to watch all kinds of different sports. He also writes about them.