The Seattle Kraken aim to snap a two-year playoff drought as they prepare to face the New York Islanders. Currently third in the Pacific Division with 27 points, the Kraken have shown promising form early in the season.
First-year Head Coach Lane Lambert leads the Kraken after a notable tenure with the Islanders from 2022 to 2024. Lambert’s familiarity with the Islanders could provide strategic insights for Seattle in this matchup.
Seattle’s offense has been bolstered by Ryker Evans, who is on a three-game point streak with four points, including one goal and three assists. However, the Kraken’s penalty kill remains a weakness, ranking last in the league at 70 percent. They have conceded power-play goals in nine consecutive games, successfully killing only 20 of their last 29 penalties.
Faceoff struggles continue to challenge the Kraken as they hold an NHL-worst 45.1 percent success rate. Contrastingly, when Seattle scores first, they have an impressive 8-3-2 record, highlighting their ability to maintain leads.
Goalie Joey Daccord is likely to start in net for the Kraken. This season, he has posted a 7-3-3 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage, including one shutout. Daccord has performed well against the Islanders, holding a 2.00 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage in two games.
The Islanders will face a tough challenge as they contend with the Kraken’s improving offense and experienced coaching staff. Seattle’s efforts to improve special teams and faceoff prowess will be critical in this game.
Key game factors to watch:
1. Seattle’s penalty kill efficiency
2. Performance of Joey Daccord in goal
3. Ryker Evans’ continued scoring streak
4. Impact of Lane Lambert’s coaching against his former team
This game serves as an important indicator of Seattle’s playoff potential as they look to build momentum and secure vital wins in a competitive division.