Analytics With Alison: Quarter Season Check-Up

We're officially a quarter-way through the Kraken season, meaning we finally have a solid block of data to evaluate the team. And the results bring many reasons for optimism.
It's not just that the Kraken (13-5-3) currently sit in second in the Pacific Division and sixth overall in the NHL. Nor is it just that during the salary cap era, over 82-game seasons, 76.34 percent of teams holding a playoff position at Thanksgiving made it into the post-season.
It's also and perhaps most importantly that the results the team is getting are well-earned. The underlying numbers say the way Seattle is playing right now is in line with the outcomes on the ice. What's going well and what has room for improvement?
Let's dig in.

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The Offense

Based on shot quality, the Kraken should have just over 46 5-on-5 goals this season and they have 51. That's a little bit of a bump and a testament to an improved Seattle attack overall. Per 60 minutes of play, this year's team is expected to score .6 more goals than the 2021-22 squad (per Evolving-Hockey.com). In reality, they are averaging about .7 more goals per 60, right in line with expectations.
Who's leading the charge?
And of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't talk about the impressive depth of the Kraken right now. Going into Sunday's games, the Kraken were tied with the New Jersey Devils for most players with two-plus goals in the last month. Contributions are coming from all over the lineup and it appears the group inside the room notices it too.
Our evidence? Every game a different player stands out to their teammates. We bring to you the all-important Davy Jones Hat Rankings.

The Defense

No one should be surprised a team already stingy in allowing chances against is right on trend. Through 21 games played, the Kraken are allowing the fifth lowest amount of shot quality against (2.29 expected goals per 60 in 5-on-5 play) and the sixth lowest amount of actual goals against with 1.95 per 60. Couple this with the team's offensive abilities and the Kraken rank seventh in the league in shot quality share (54.24%).
This comes from limiting both shot volume and shot quality against. The end result is the Kraken reducing opponents' offenses at a rate 13 percent better than league average.

Who has been key in this end of the ice?

Special Teams: Playing with the Extra-Skater

The Kraken currently have the 12th-best power play in the league and that's an important part of developing winning ways. While a power play can be streaky by nature in terms of putting points on net, it's worth noting Seattle had a power play goal in their first four games and seven of their first 10. That kind of momentum can accelerate success, both on special teams and for the group as a whole.

Special Teams: Short-Handed Play

The penalty kill has had some solid runs. They started the month of November with a run of six straight games without allowing a power play goal against and have had four other perfect outings. Unfortunately, when another team's power play gets going it tends to result in multiple goals against (eight games with more than one power-play goal against).
The PK is limiting opponents' attacks. They allow the fifth least shot attempts when short-handed and the sixth least quality against, but as Dave Hakstol said after Sunday's game in Anaheim "we've got to be better."

Goaltending

Philipp Grubauerhas played just five games (due to injury) but his game is trending in the right direction. In terms of preventing more than you should, his two strongest performances to date are both against Vegas, a team with a lot of offensive firepower.
Martin Jonescame to Seattle this summer and stepped up as Grubauer healed. With the lion's share of the workload, Jones has the second-most quality starts of all NHL goaltenders this season (10) plus one shutout. He is averaging .15 more goals save than expected.