The Seattle Kraken’s Game 7 win over the Colorado Avalanche was no fluke, and those who overlooked it in light of Boston’s game missed out on witnessing a historic moment. Now, the Kraken face another tough challenge in the Dallas Stars, who made easy work of the Minnesota Wild in Round 1. Despite being heavy underdogs yet again, Seattle has already proven that they can upset the odds. While the model gives Dallas a 76 percent chance of winning, the Kraken’s depth and team spirit can never be underestimated, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they managed to pull off another win.
One of the main concerns for Seattle is their struggling power play, which was among the weakest in the league during the regular season, and Dallas has one of the strongest power plays. Both teams were strong in penalty-killing during the regular season, with Dallas slightly ahead at even strength as well. However, the Kraken’s defensive structure and goalie support improved in Round 1, giving them a fighting chance.
The big question for this series is whether Dallas can defend against Seattle’s deep forward group. Unlike the Avalanche, who were missing key players and had a weak bottom line, the Stars have a more balanced offense with contributions from depth players. Even if Jared McCann doesn’t play, Seattle has already demonstrated their “next man up” mentality and ability to win without key players.
The X-factor in this series is the performance of starting goalie Philipp Grubauer. He struggled during the regular season but has shown improvement in the playoffs, with a .925 save percentage and saving 3.8 goals above expected. If he continues to perform well, it will be easier for Seattle to pull off another upset.
Overall, while the model may give Dallas a high chance of winning, it’s important to remember that Seattle has already proven themselves as underdogs and shouldn’t be underestimated. Their depth, team spirit, and recent success make them a formidable opponent, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they managed to upset the Stars once again.
