3 Game Essentials | Kraken vs. Coyotes | Feb. 9

One: Scanning for Save Percentage

It's not a perfect stat, but widely considered a step up from goals against average. Save percentage is simple math: Divide saves made by shots on goal when a goaltender is in the net (empty net goals don't count).
Save percentage doesn't account for screens by defensemen or opponents or both. It doesn't factor in a puck deflected off your own teammate's skate or leg or stick or you get the idea.
But what save percentage does indicate - for the most part, season in and season out - is whether teams are in playoff contention or not.
At the All-Star break, eight NHL teams were under .900 (90 percent) in save percentage: Only one, Edmonton, has a winning record and most fans know the Oilers have spiraled downward in recent months after a fast start. The rest of those teams, including the Kraken with an .878 save percentage, are not projected to make the postseason.
According to HockeyReference.com, the league average for save percentage this season is .909 to date, following seasons of .908, .910, .910, .912, showing the team save percentage notching above .900 can make or break playoff dreams. To wit, Pacific Division-leading Vegas has a .901 save percentage.
Grubauer and Chris Driedger have played strong games during the recent homestand (3-3 record) and road trip (2-2 with legitimate opportunity to sweep the trip). Turning in consistently higher - .900 or better - most nights in the remaining months will be a trend that will produce more victories.

Two: Focus on Kraken: Eberle Explains

Kraken All-Star Jordan Eberle couldn't say enough positive things about Kraken fans and the culture he is excited to help build here in Seattle. Speaking of save percentage, he praised Grubauer's recent star play to the national media.
Back home at the Kraken Community Iceplex for practice Tuesday, the Seattle alternate captain was asked how his team can keep the momentum of what he, Grubauer and coach Dave Hakstol all agree started trending up after the winter/COVID postponements break that began with a Jan. 10 road game at Colorado.
"It's understanding what we're doing to make us win," Eberle said. "We were competing, we're fighting defensively. We're creating offense out of our good defense.
"I like to think that we started to create a bit of an identity and understand the way we need to try to win hockey games."

Three: Know the Foe: Arizona Coyotes (11-30-4, 8th in Central Division)

Yes, going into a Tuesday night game at Vancouver, the Coyotes have the lowest standings points total of any team in the Western Conference. But they also beat Colorado on the road before the break to stop a historic Avalanche home streak, plus upended the Kraken earlier this season after Seattle scored twice in the opening minute in Glendale, AZ.
Forward Clayton Keller is a bright spot (17 goals, 21 assists) along with Kraken-killer Lawson Crouse (11 G, 10 assists). Check back on the Kraken website and app for updates for what will be Arizona's second game in two nights Wednesday at Climate Pledge Arena.