The Olympic ice hockey competition wrapped up in thrilling fashion as both the Women’s and Men’s USA teams skated away with gold medals, each clinching 2-1 overtime victories against Canada. In a nail-biting finish, Hilary Knight, the captain of Team USA and the Seattle Torrent, redirected a shot to tie the women's game with just over two minutes remaining. Megan Keller then sealed the deal in overtime, bringing home the gold.
On the men’s side, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was nothing short of spectacular, keeping Team USA in the game. After Jack Hughes took a high stick that cost him a tooth, he came back with a vengeance, netting the overtime winner on a slick play set up by Zach Werenski.
Elsewhere, Kaapo Kakko and Eeli Tolvanen will return to Finland with bronze medals, following a decisive 6-1 victory over Slovakia. A round of applause for all the Olympic athletes who gave it their all.
With the Olympics in the rearview mirror, it’s time to refocus on the NHL. Teams, sans their Olympians, resumed practice on February 16, gearing up for regular-season action starting February 25.
The Seattle Kraken, currently holding third in the Pacific Division, are set to face Dallas and St. Louis in back-to-back matchups.
January Recap
The Kraken needed a strong January to stay in the playoff hunt, and they delivered. They wrapped up pre-Olympic play with a crucial win in Los Angeles, creating a three-point cushion over the Kings, who are just outside the playoff picture.
Seattle’s 11-6-2 record in 2026 has them on track for a 95-point season. With 24 points earned, they lead the Pacific in that span. Goalies Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer have been sharing the net evenly, each contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Offensively, the Kraken found their groove, averaging 3.53 goals per game in January. While this surge has them third in the league for the month, they still sit 23rd overall at 2.88 goals per game. The condensed schedule, with 16 of 19 games against similarly ranked teams, created a playoff-like atmosphere where Seattle thrived.
Updated Tiers
A clearer divide is forming between playoff and non-playoff teams, though several squads remain within reach.
Playoff Bound Tier
While the core group remains unchanged, Montreal, Detroit, and Pittsburgh are making a push. Pittsburgh’s impressive 12-3-3 record in 2026 has them knocking on the door.
Colorado, despite leading the Presidents’ Trophy race, has struggled with a 7-7-2 record. Minnesota continues to win but often needs extra time to do so, with only four regulation victories in 2026.
Bubble Tier
The gap is widening here. Teams like Florida, Philadelphia, Nashville, and San Jose are just above the Tankers tier, showing noticeable variance in performance.
Tankers Tier
New Jersey, the New York Rangers, St. Louis, and Calgary have joined this group, each posting losing records in 2026 and sitting at least 11 points out of playoff contention.
March and Late-February Games
The Kraken dive back into action with back-to-backs against the Stars and Blues, followed by a busy March schedule. From February 25 to March 31, Seattle will cover 10,472 miles, averaging 616 miles per game. This stretch includes their longest road trip of the season, spanning six games, but they’ll also enjoy a six-game homestand.
With the NHL trade deadline on March 6, Seattle’s strategy remains a topic of interest. General Manager Jason Botterill has shown a willingness to be aggressive, although a move for Artemi Panarin didn’t pan out. VP and Assistant GM Alexandra Mandrycky has stated that the Kraken are open to improving the team, whether through immediate additions or future assets.
Updated Target Percentages
As teams shift between tiers, the target points percentages have been adjusted.
Playoff Bound Tier
Seattle faces five tough games this month, including matchups against Dallas, Carolina, Colorado, and two against Tampa Bay. With a .611 points percentage against this tier, they’re aiming for five points out of 10.
Bubble Tier
Eight games are on tap here, with Seattle facing Ottawa, Columbus, Buffalo, Florida, and Nashville. The target is 10 points out of 16.
Tankers Tier
With St. Louis now in this tier, Seattle has four games, including back-to-backs against St.
Louis and Vancouver. These are must-win games, with a target of six points out of eight.
Wrapping Up
Seattle has started 2026 strong and needs to maintain momentum. They’re just a point behind Edmonton with two games in hand, and with Anaheim and Los Angeles close behind, there’s no room for error.
First up is Dallas on February 25. The Stars, with seven Olympians, might show some rust, but Jason Robertson, overlooked by Team USA, will be eager to add to his goal tally.
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