The Seattle Kraken face a tough test tonight, taking on the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place at 6:00 p.m. PT. Coming off a frustrating shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, the Kraken (32-29-11) will need to rediscover their scoring touch against a surging Oilers team (37-28-9) that has surprisingly found success even without star forward Leon Draisaitl.
Seattle’s recent struggles to close out games, particularly building on early leads, will be a key focus in Edmonton. The Kraken are a solid 20-2-3 when leading after the second period, but Saturday’s collapse highlighted a concerning trend: difficulty converting scoring chances into goals. They managed just two goals despite a barrage of opportunities, ultimately losing 3-2 in the shootout. This offensive inconsistency is particularly glaring, as the team has only prevailed in four games when scoring two or fewer goals in regulation.
A bright spot for the Kraken is the return of forward Jaden Schwartz to the lineup after missing three weeks due to a skate blade injury. His presence adds experience and offensive skill to a team that desperately needs it.
McMann’s Impact Ignites Kraken Offense
Since arriving from Toronto, Bobby McMann has injected much-needed energy into the Kraken’s offense. He’s tallied seven goals in eight games, a pace that, whereas statistically unrealistic over a full season, demonstrates his immediate impact. McMann has scored in three consecutive games, contributing to a 1-0-2 record for Seattle during that stretch and accumulating 11 points overall.
Linemate Kaapo Kakko emphasized the simplicity of playing with McMann, noting, “We’ve just got to obtain pucks out of the D-zone and he can do the rest.” McMann’s speed and ability to create scoring chances, as evidenced by his goal against Buffalo where he outraced captain Rasmus Dahlin, are proving invaluable. His presence has also elevated the play of his linemates, with Kakko and Stephenson both enjoying increased offensive production alongside him.
Oilers Discover Success Despite Draisaitl’s Absence
The Oilers entered the season as a top Stanley Cup contender, largely due to the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, with Draisaitl sidelined for the remainder of the regular season due to an upper-body injury, many expected a significant downturn. Instead, Edmonton has responded with a surprising surge, winning three straight and five of their last seven games, including victories over Anaheim, Vegas, and San Jose.
Despite Draisaitl’s absence, the Oilers are only three points behind the Ducks for the Pacific Division lead. Connor McDavid continues to lead the NHL in scoring with 124 points and 42 goals, demonstrating his generational talent. The Oilers have also seen increased scoring contributions from throughout their lineup, with 13 players recording at least a point in a recent 5-3 win over San Jose. Matt Savoie has stepped up with goals in three consecutive games, while Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard remain consistent offensive threats.
Goaltending remains a question mark for the Oilers, with Connor Ingram posting a .893 save percentage and a 2.86 goals-against average in his last 10 games.
Recent History and Projected Lineups
The Kraken defeated the Oilers 3-2 at home in October, but have struggled at Rogers Place, posting a 1-6-1 record. The Oilers won the last two matchups convincingly, 4-0 in Seattle in late November and 9-4 in Edmonton five days later. Seattle will also be without Shane Wright, who sustained a head injury in Saturday’s game against Buffalo and did not return.
Projected lineup (not official):
Catton-Beniers-Eberle
McMann-Stephenson-Kakko
Schwartz-Molgaard-McCann
Meyers-Gaudreau-Tolvanen
Dunn-Larsson
Evans-Montour
Lindgren-Oleksiak
Grubauer
The Kraken will need a strong performance from all lines, particularly capitalizing on their scoring opportunities, to overcome the Oilers’ recent momentum and their challenging road record. The Oilers’ ability to generate offense by committee, even without Draisaitl, presents a significant challenge for Seattle’s defense. The outcome of tonight’s game will be a key indicator of the Kraken’s ability to compete with the top teams in the Western Conference as they push for a playoff berth.
What do you think, Kraken fans? Can Seattle pull off an upset in Edmonton? Share your predictions in the comments below!
