Kraken's Set To Bring Back Their Top Line

The Kraken's top line is a force to be reckoned with:

This combination of talent has been a key factor in the Kraken's success, with their quick-strike offense thriving due to an aggressive forecheck.

In fact, they led the league with an impressive 44 goals scored within five seconds of a turnover at 5-on-5 during the regular season. Seattle's ability to recover loose pucks following shot attempts is another asset, ranking fourth among playoff teams with 14.7 retrievals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.

This tenacity leads to valuable second-chance scoring opportunities (2.53 per 60, second among playoff teams) and forces opponents to expend energy chasing the puck in their own defensive zone.

An impressive aspect of the Kraken's strategy, led by Jack Adams Award finalist Dave Hakstol, is the success of their forward line. Despite having never played together before April 26, this line has become a standout performer in the postseason.

Matthew Beniers, the first-ever NHL Draft pick for the Seattle Kraken, joined the team as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. After signing a three-year contract with the Kraken on April 10, 2022, Beniers made an impact in his NHL debut with an assist in 17:10 of ice time.

Notably, he had a three-point game, including a goal and two assists, becoming the first Seattle rookie to achieve this feat and helping the Kraken secure an historic 8-5 win against the San Jose Sharks on November 23, 2022. Beniers' contributions have been a significant part of the Kraken's impressive season.