Are the Seattle Kraken a legitimate NHL playoff contender?

There's always that one surprise NHL team. The success story we don't see coming.

They've gone from missing the playoffs -- usually by a sizable margin -- to beginning the following season so well that it forces an inevitable question: Are they for real?

This season's Cinderella turn has belonged to the Seattle Kraken.

Let's face it: The Kraken's inaugural 2021-22 season was marred by constant defeat. Seattle never crested past .500 after playing their second game, endured at least six separate streaks with four or more losses and fielded criticism about their expansion draft strategy.

Well, the Kraken are back to issue a rebuttal.

Seattle went into this season's holiday break sitting third in…