Quick Look: In terms of limiting what opponents can create, Seattle ranks eighth in the league in 5-on-5 shot quality against. According to Sportlogiq, they are top 10 in limiting not just shot attempts, but any shot on net, or any kind of shot from the slot. The Kraken are fourth overall in limiting rush chances (something that plagued them early in the season) and seventh in preventing cycle chances or any kind of quality chance.
Notable Performances:
Colin Blackwell had just come into the lineup after recovering from a lower body injury when we did our quarter season checkup, but he was already showing signs of making a defensive impact. That has continued through the first half of the 2021-22 campaign. With more games under his belt, Blackwell is still top two among Kraken skaters in terms of limiting opponents' shot quality and is top four when it comes to tilting the ice his team's way by not just preventing offense against, but creating more for his side.
Haydn Fleury and Will Borgen are two defenders who have been in and out of the lineup, but when they play, they are contributing. In terms of shot volume against, no Seattle skater has a lower total than Fleury, and Borgen boasts the lowest shot quality against among his teammates.
Who is tilting the ice the most? Borgen comes in first overall in shot quality percentage, followed by Jamie Oleksiak, Riley Sheahan and Blackwell.