If you’re a Kraken fan, there’s no doubt tonight’s matchup against the Edmonton Oilers has your full attention. The Oilers (23-12-3) come storming into Seattle as one of the Western Conference’s stronger teams, spearheaded by the high-flying duo of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Meanwhile, our own Seattle Kraken (17-19-3) look to shake off Thursday’s heartbreaking shootout loss against Vancouver and turn the page with a much-needed victory.
Despite the overall rough patch, there are several reasons to believe the Kraken can stay competitive—and hopefully grab two points—on home ice. Let’s break it down in two main parts:
Building momentum at home
The Kraken haven’t had much historical success against Edmonton, holding a 2-8-1 all-time record. In fact, their last win over the Oilers came nearly two years ago on January 3, 2023. But records are made to be broken (or at least improved upon), and a home game is a perfect setting for a turnaround.
One big source of optimism is Matty Beniers, who snapped his 19-game goal drought in stunning fashion by potting a goal in each of the last three games. Whatever the young center has done to break out of that funk, we hope he keeps it going. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, and a confident, high-flying Beniers bodes well for the Kraken’s offense.
Additionally, Vince Dunn continues to be the team’s rock on the blue line. Dunn has been an anchor in every sense of the word since returning from injury a month ago, posting 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in the 14 games since rejoining the lineup. His offensive contributions, combined with his steady play in his own zone, make him a critical piece in slowing down Edmonton’s potent offense.
Goaltending and key matchups
Joey Daccord remains sidelined, so Philipp Grubauer will carry the load in net again. Grubauer’s numbers since taking over—a 2-0-1 record, .878 save percentage, and a 2.95 GAA—might not dazzle statistically, but he’s been collecting points for the Kraken. Simply staying in the win column can do wonders for a netminder’s confidence, and a locked-in Grubauer could be the difference-maker tonight.
Of course, stopping Edmonton means containing McDavid and Draisaitl, two of the most dangerous forwards in the league. The Kraken’s penalty kill will need to be especially sharp—any lapses could swing momentum to the Oilers in a hurry. If the Kraken can clog the neutral zone and keep their shifts short, they’ll stand a better chance of limiting the Oilers’ transition speed.
The energy at Climate Pledge Arena should be electric tonight, and the Kraken will look to feed off the home crowd to snap a frustrating skid against the Oilers. While the metrics might not be in Seattle’s favor, the pieces are there for an inspired upset. Here’s hoping Beniers’ hot streak continues, Grubauer keeps gaining confidence, and Vince Dunn’s all-around play paves the way to victory. Go Kraken!