NHL

NHL 2026 Season: Seattle Kraken Defense Explained for Online Sports Betting

The Kraken sit fourth in the Pacific with 27-22-9 for 63 points. Joey Daccord's goaltending keeps games close. Early season showed .929 save percentage at even strength (best in franchise history). The defense-first system under coach Dan Bylsma works despite injuries.

Alex Baconbits

March 5, 2026

5 Minutes

How Seattle Stops Goals in 2025-26

Kraken defense built around Joey Daccord's elite goaltending. Early season team stats showed 2.8 goals against and .905 save percentage. Even-strength defense exceptional (.929 save percentage through 10 games). System keeps scores low and games competitive.

Joey Daccord provides elite goaltending (24 appearances, .929 even-strength save percentage early). Jaden Schwartz plays best defense among forwards (9 takeaways, 0.43 ratio). Ryan Lindgren adds physical presence (54 penalty minutes most on team). Defense-first system works.

For NHL sports betting, this means:

Kraken games stay low scoring (elite even-strength defense)
Daccord starts create under opportunities (.929 save percentage)
Defense-first system keeps games close
Fourth place team competes through goaltending and defense

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Three Defensive Players Bettors Must Track

Seattle defense depends on Joey Daccord's goaltending (.929 even-strength save percentage best in franchise history), Jaden Schwartz's takeaways (9 takeaways, 0.43 ratio best among forwards), and Dan Bylsma's defense-first system keeping scores low.

Joey Daccord: The Goaltending Star

Joey Daccord is Seattle's starting goaltender and main reason defense works. Early season showed .929 save percentage at even strength (best in franchise history, one of best in entire NHL).

Daccord's elite goaltending:

24 appearances as primary starter
.929 save percentage at even strength (early season, best in franchise history)
Team 2.8 goals against and .905 save percentage overall
Elite defensive structure at even strength
Organizational defensive anchor

His .929 even-strength save percentage through 10 games was best in franchise history. His goaltending keeps every game close. Elite performance at even strength.

Betting impact: When Daccord starts, unders become reliable (.929 even-strength save percentage elite). Kraken games stay low scoring. Opponent team total unders gain value. Elite goaltending creates consistent under opportunities.

Jaden Schwartz: The Best Defensive Forward

Jaden Schwartz plays best defense among all Seattle forwards. Nine takeaways in 15 tracked games with 0.43 ratio (takes puck away from opponents often).

Schwartz's defensive excellence:

Nine takeaways (most among forwards)
0.43 ratio (takes puck away almost half as often as loses it)
Plus-6 rating (best among forwards in scoring sample)
14 blocked shots, 21 hits (physical too)
Most active defensive forward

His 9 takeaways most among forwards shows active defense. His plus-6 rating best among forwards. Plays both ends extremely well.

Betting impact: When Schwartz plays heavy minutes, opponent scoring drops. His plus-6 rating shows team performs better. Opponent team total unders gain value when he's active.

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Dan Bylsma's Defense-First System

Head coach Dan Bylsma built defense-first system keeping Seattle competitive. Elite even-strength structure (.929 save percentage) makes up for special teams struggles.

System excellence:

.929 even-strength save percentage early season (best in franchise history)
2.8 goals against per game early
Defense-first approach under Bylsma
Keeps team competitive despite injuries
System works better than talent suggests

Ryan Lindgren's physical presence:

54 penalty minutes (most on team)
Most physically aggressive defenseman
Protects teammates and Joey Daccord

Jamie Oleksiak's size:

6'7" tall defenseman
Active stick creates takeaways
Physical presence alongside puck skills

System keeps games close even when offense struggles. Defense compensates for missing offensive players.

Betting impact: Bylsma's system creates consistent under opportunities. Even-strength defense elite regardless of opponent. Track system performance over individual stats. Defense-first approach makes Kraken unders reliable.

Where Seattle Gets Stops And Excels

Kraken defense shows elite goaltending and systematic excellence keeping team competitive.

Daccord's elite goaltending: .929 even-strength save percentage best in franchise history. Elite defensive structure at even strength despite special teams struggles. Keeps every game close.

Schwartz leads forwards: Nine takeaways most among forwards. Plus-6 rating best in scoring sample. Most active defensive forward on entire team.

Physical presence protects: Ryan Lindgren 54 penalty minutes (most on team). Jamie Oleksiak 6'7" with active stick. Physical defensemen protect Daccord and young players.

System excellence everywhere: Dan Bylsma's defense-first approach works. .929 even-strength save percentage extraordinary. Team competitive despite injury absences for McCann, Kakko, Evans. Current fourth-place standing undersells talent level when healthy.

Betting clues:

Kraken unders when Daccord starts (.929 even-strength)
Even-strength defense elite (best in franchise history)
Schwartz plus-6 rating (best among forwards)
Defense-first system creates consistent under value

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Best Betting Angles For Kraken Defense

Kraken defense proves elite goaltending and systematic excellence create reliable under opportunities. Smart bettors target games when Daccord starts knowing his .929 even-strength save percentage keeps scores low consistently.

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