After a narrow 2-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, the Seattle Kraken return to the friendly confines of Climate Pledge Arena tonight to face the Los Angeles Kings (25-12-5). Despite the defeat in Winnipeg, there was plenty for Kraken fans to feel good about, as the team put forth a determined effort against one of the league’s top squads. Now, Seattle (18-24-3) aims to carry that energy into a matchup against a Kings team that has allowed the fewest goals per game in the NHL (2.38).
Historically, the Kraken hold a 5-6-1 record against Los Angeles, with two of those victories coming in overtime. That means fans could be in for another nail-biter—a possibility that increases when facing such a stingy defensive opponent. If Seattle wants to break through the Kings’ defensive shell, it’ll require a full 60-minute effort from everyone. The budding chemistry between Matty Beniers and Kaapo Kakko will be crucial, as both youngsters have shown flashes of dynamic offense when given room to operate. Beniers’ renewed scoring touch and Kakko’s vision have led to some highlight-worthy plays in recent games, and continued growth from the pair might be Seattle’s best path to producing the goals needed against the Kings.
On the back end, the Kraken will once again turn to Joey Daccord in net. Daccord has been solid lately, standing tall against high-powered offenses and offering Seattle a real chance to hang with top-tier teams. As head coach Dan Bylsma looks to solidify his goaltending situation, strong performances from Daccord could further cement him as the club’s go-to netminder for the remainder of the season.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM PT in Seattle, where the Kraken will look to prove that their resilient effort in Winnipeg wasn’t a one-off. Keep an eye on how the Kings attempt to neutralize Beniers and Kakko, and whether Daccord can replicate his stellar play. A win tonight would be a significant boost for a Kraken squad eager to show their fans—and the league—they can compete with the best.