Seattle Kraken vs. St. Louis Blues: Game Preview
Tonight, the Seattle Kraken will face off against the St. Louis Blues for the second game in as many nights. Following a tough 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars yesterday, where Ryker Evans scored the only goal in the final period after the team fell behind 4-0, the Kraken will look to bounce back.
With a shot differential of 32-19 against the Stars and an unsuccessful power play performance going 0-4, the Kraken will be eager to improve both offensively and defensively in tonight’s matchup.
Blues’ Struggles and Opportunities
The Blues, currently sitting at the bottom of the NHL standings, will be without their top center, Robert Thomas, making this contest an important opportunity for the Kraken. St. Louis has been struggling all season, allowing an average of 3.51 goals per game, which ties them for 30th in the league for defensive performance. Offensively, they also rank poorly at 28th with just 2.56 goals per game.
Despite initial playoff aspirations, the Blues seem to be steering towards a selling strategy as the trade deadline approaches.
Playoff Implications for the Kraken
After last night’s defeat, Seattle has dropped to fourth in the Pacific Division, just one point behind the Edmonton Oilers and two points shy of the Anaheim Ducks for second place. With the stakes high in the playoff race, securing a full two points against a last-place team is crucial for the Kraken.
Adding to the team dynamics, Tye Kartye has been placed on waivers with several injured forwards returning to the lineup. The Kraken’s current projected lines feature players such as McCann, Beniers, and Eberle, while the Blues will put forth a lineup led by Schenn and Buchnevich.
Conclusion
With tensions high and both teams facing critical moments in their seasons, tonight’s game promises to be an exciting matchup on the ice.
