Kraken Game Facts
Saturday Afternoon: Edmonton Oilers at Seattle Kraken
Where: Climate Pledge Arena
When: 1:00 pm pacific
TV/Radio: Root Sports / FM 93.3
Key Factors:
Starting goalies: Stuart Skinner vs. Philipp Grubauer
The Oilers are 3-and-0 against the Kraken this season and have eight wins head-to-head against just two losses since Seattle entered the NHL in 2021.
Along with the Penguins, the Oilers have played 57 games, the fewest in the NHL. They stand in 3rd place in the Pacific Division, just one point behind the 2nd place Vegas Golden Knights, but with three games in hand. Edmonton has a whopping five games in hand, a potential 10 points, on the 1st place Canucks. Vancouver leads Edmonton by 11 points.
Like the Kraken, the Oilers have won two straight games and are fully healthy.
The only question mark for Seattle is winger Andre Burakovsky, who appeared to tweak a lower body injury in overtime against the Bruins on Monday. He skated with the group yesterday and it appears he should be available.
“Burkie” is looking for his first goal in 17 games.
The Kraken are tied with the Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues, all with 63 points, all seven points back of the Western Conference wild card spots held by the Los Angeles Kings and Nashville Predators.
Who’s Hot? And Not?
Doesn’t hurt to be playing with the world’s best player. Winger Zach Hyman reached the 40-goal plateau for the first time in his career with two goals on Wednesday against St. Louis.
On a remarkable run, Hyman has nine points over his last six games, eight of those points being goals.
His centerman, some guy named McDavid, has six consecutive multi-point games, and 23 points over his last nine games! He’s third in league scoring with 94 points.
For Seattle, goalie Grubauer has won four straight starts and is coming off Thursday’s 2-0 shut-out win over the Penguins.
Alex Wennberg, the subject of trade rumors, had his first multi-point game of the season, a goal and an assist, against Pittsburgh. He also had an assist Monday against Boston.
Veteran forward Jaden Schwartz has just one point over his last eleven games.
Special Teams
Edmonton went 1-for-2 on the power play on Wednesday at home against St. Louis while allowing the Blues to go 1-for-3. Over the duration of the season the Oilers continue to dominate with a 27.7% rate on the man advantage, 3rd best in the NHL. Their PK is barely adequate at 79.5%.
The Kraken went 1-for-4 on the power play against the Penguins two nights ago, nudging the power play success rate to 21% for the season. Pittsburgh went 0-for-3 on their power play against Seattle, a club that successfully kills 78.9% of the time.
Coming In:
Oilers: 35-20-and-2, in 3rd place in the Pacific Division with 72 points. The Oilers beat the St. Louis Blues 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night.
Kraken: 26-22-and-11, in 5th place in the Pacific Division with 63 points. Seattle beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-0 on Thursday night.
Recent Kraken:
— Kraken’s Hakstol Hits 500; Who Is This Guy Really?
