Anaheim Ducks: Defensive battles ahead
The Ducks have struggled offensively, scoring the fewest goals in the NHL this season, but they aren’t without weapons. Center Leo Carlsson and winger Troy Terry have been driving Anaheim’s offense while dealing with injuries to key players like Mason McTavish. While Trevor Zegras has yet to find his groove, Carlsson’s poised play and Terry’s creativity have kept the Ducks competitive in low-scoring contests.
Anaheim’s goaltending has been its standout feature. John Gibson and Lukas Dostal have formed a formidable tandem, with Dostal emerging as a surprise leader in goals saved above expected (GSAx)—the only netminder outperforming Seattle’s Joey Daccord in this metric.
Keys for the Kraken:
- Force Anaheim to chase the game: With their offensive struggles, the Ducks don’t fare well when playing from behind. A fast Kraken start could shift the momentum early.
- Break through Anaheim’s goaltending: Dostal has been a revelation, so generating traffic and high-danger scoring chances will be critical to solving him.
- Exploit depth mismatches: Anaheim’s depth scoring has been inconsistent, giving Seattle an edge with their balanced forward lines.
Outlook: The Ducks will try to turn these games into tight, low-scoring affairs. If Seattle can sustain offensive pressure and avoid mistakes, they have the tools to control the pace and grab both victories.
San Jose Sharks: Beware the underdog bite
The San Jose Sharks have endured their share of struggles, but their offense has been a surprising bright spot. Veterans Mikael Granlund, Tyler Toffoli, and Fabian Zetterlund are all approaching double-digit goals, while rookie Macklin Celebrini has started to show his star potential with 7 points in 11 games.
While their defense and goaltending remain suspect, the Sharks can capitalize on lapses and turn games into unexpected goal-fests if opponents let their guard down.
Keys for the Kraken:
- Limit Granlund’s impact: With 24 points this season, Mikael Granlund drives the Sharks’ offense. Shutting him down will be key to disrupting their attack.
- Test the goaltenders: San Jose’s defensive struggles are an area the Kraken must exploit, particularly through relentless forechecking and cycling in the offensive zone.
- Stay disciplined: The Sharks thrive on loose, chaotic hockey. Keeping things structured will tilt the scales in Seattle’s favor.
Outlook: The Sharks can be dangerous offensively, but they lack the depth and defensive stability to maintain leads. If the Kraken focus on execution, these games could be high-scoring but ultimately tilt Seattle’s way.
Four games to define momentum
This stretch is a pivotal opportunity for Seattle. Anaheim’s low-scoring games and elite goaltending will test the Kraken’s ability to stay patient and disciplined, while San Jose’s offensive threats and looser defensive play present an entirely different challenge. Adjusting between these styles will require focus, but it’s a task the Kraken are capable of handling.
Final prediction: 3 wins for the Kraken
The Kraken are primed for success in this stretch, with their depth and structure giving them a clear edge over the Ducks and Sharks. A 3-1 record feels likely, with the Ducks’ elite goaltending potentially stealing one game. These four games could be the momentum shift Seattle needs to push further up the standings.
Keep your eyes on Climate Pledge Arena and beyond as the Kraken aim to take control of their destiny in this exciting Pacific Division showdown!