On Saturday, December 6, the Seattle Kraken prepare to host the Detroit Red Wings. They just returned from a once-in-a-lifetime road trip to Canada, where they faced the Edmonton Oilers for their second straight game. This match on December 4 resulted in a painful 9-4 defeat for Seattle. Back at the Climate Pledge Arena, the Kraken look to get a win in front of their home fans.
Related: 3 takeaways from Kraken’s 9-4 loss to the Oilers
This game marks the second of a six-game road trip for the Red Wings. They just lost 6-5 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a shootout on Thursday. To kick off the West Coast portion of their trip, they will look to get back into the win column.
The season series between the Red Wings and the Kraken started on November 18 in Detroit. The Red Wings defeated Seattle in a 4-2 victory. This game will determine if the Red Wings win a sweep or if the Kraken manage to tie the series.
Kraken storylines
It looks like Mason Marchment is back in the lineup after missing the away game in Edmonton. The nature of his injury has not been disclosed, but he only missed one match. Having him back in the offensive line tonight against Detroit will be a big help.
Jani Nyman may have had a strong performance on Thursday night, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in the lineup. Although he scored with five seconds left in the third period to prove the Kraken hadn’t given up yet, he will be a healthy scratch in this match since Marchment returns.
Not only does the attacking group change, but so do the defensive pairs. Jamie Oleksiak is out tonight against the Red Wings. Josh Mahura will no longer be a healthy scratch, and he will slot into the third defensive duo alongside Ryker Evans. Mahura has played thirteen games so far this season, scoring one goal and recording one assist. Mahura last played on November 5 when the Kraken hosted the San Jose Sharks.
Despite a lackluster performance Thursday in Edmonton, Joey Daccord will be back on the net tonight. He remains the Kraken’s starting goaltender, and he’s very adept at that. However, he allowed five goals to the Oilers in 25 minutes and was pulled from the net. Hopefully he has had enough rest to perform optimally again.
The player to watch in this game is Frederick Gaudreau. He scored his first goal as Kraken Thursday against the Oilers. Although he has only played 12 games with the team due to an injury suffered earlier this season, he now adds tremendous scoring depth to the bottom six. His experienced presence also shines with the young players in the team.
Team stats
Seattle Kraken
Season record: 11-8-6
Top scorers:
- Jaden Schwartz – 8 goals (G), 7 assists (A), 15 points (P)
- Jordan Eberle – 8 G, 7 A, 15 P
- Matty Beniers – 3 G, 12 A, 15 P
- Brandon Montour – 5 G, 9 A, 14 P
- Vince Dunn – 4 G, 9 A, 13 P
Goalkeeper statistics:
- Joey Daccord – 7-6-4, 2.92 goals-against average (GAA), .894 save percentage (SV%)
- Philipp Grubauer – 4-4-1, 2.63 GAA, 0.895 SV%
- Matt Murray – 0-2-1, 2.21 GAA, 0.922 SV%
Detroit Red Wings
Season record: 14-11-3
Top scorers:
- Dylan Larkin – 15 G, 16 A, 31 P
- Lucas Raymond – 10 G, 21 A, 31 P
- Alex DeBrincat – 14 G, 15 A, 29 P
- Moritz Seider – 4 G, 17 A, 21 P
- Patrick Kane – 4 G, 14 A, 18 P
Goalkeeper statistics:
- Cam Talbot – 9-4-2, 3.01 GAA, 0.884 SV%
- John Gibson – 5-7-1, 3.62 GAA, 0.868 SV%
Projected lineups
(Subject to change before puck drop)
According to The Hockey Writers’ expected lineup article.
Seattle Kraken
Jared McCann – Matty Beniers – Jordan Eberle
Eeli Tolvanen – Chandler Stephenson – Kaapo Kakko
Mason Marchment – Shane Wright – Berkly Catton
Tye Kartye – Frederick Gaudreau – Ryan Winterton
Vince Dunn-Adam Larsson
Ryan Lindgren-Brandon Montour
Ryker Evans-Josh Mahura
Joey Daccord
Philip Grubauer
Scratched: Cale Fleury, Jani Nyman
Injured: Mason Marchment, Jaden Schwartz, Matt Murray, Max McCormick
Detroit Red Wings
Emmitt Finnie-Dylan Larkin-Lucas Raymond
Alex DeBrincat-Andrew Copp-Patrick Kane
Elmer Soderblom – Nate Danielson – Marco Kasper
Michael Rasmussen — JT Compher — James van Riemsdyk
Simon Edvinsson-Moritz Seider
Ben Chiarot – Axel Sandin-Pellikka
Albert Johansson-Jacob Bernard-Docker
John Gibson
Cam Talbot
Scratched: Jonatan Berggren, Travis Hamonic
Injured: Mason Appleton, Shai Buium
Next step for the Kraken
The Kraken stay home and host the Minnesota Wild on Monday, December 8.
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