Kraken Stun Oilers in 6-Game Upset, Reach Playoffs' 2nd Round

SEATTLE — In a historic breakthrough for Washington hockey, the Seattle Kraken eliminated the Edmonton Oilers in six games of the NHL playoffs' first round, securing their first-ever trip to the second round. The series capped with a gritty road win in Edmonton, overcoming a regular-season 3-0 shutout loss there on March 31, 2026, where Oilers goalie Connor Ingram posted 27 saves. Kraken stars like Jaden Schwartz, with eight goals and seven assists this season, and Jared McCann, heating up with three goals in his last 10 games, fueled the comeback.

The Kraken, who entered the league in 2021, defied expectations against a stacked Oilers squad featuring Connor McDavid, who earlier dominated with a hat trick in a 9-4 Edmonton win over Seattle on Dec. 4, 2025. Series records show Edmonton holding a 9-2 all-time edge, including recent regular-season triumphs, but Seattle's playoff resilience shone through. Local fans packed Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle's Cascade neighborhood, turning the arena into a sea of teal as the team clinched the upset initially reported by KOMO News.

This advancement electrifies Washington state, where Kraken fever has gripped cities from Spokane to Bellingham. Goaltending and defense proved pivotal after early-season struggles, flipping the script on Edmonton's high-powered attack averaging 3.1 goals per game. As the second round looms, eyes turn to potential matchups, with Seattle's 10-0-3 record when scoring three-plus goals signaling deeper-run potential.