Seattle Kraken Eyeing Bounce-Back Victory Against New York Rangers

Seattle Kraken Looking to Rebound Against New York Rangers

The Seattle Kraken (13-14-1) will travel to Madison Square Garden to face the New York Rangers (14-10-1) this Sunday at 1:00 PM ET. Coming off a narrow 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the Kraken are hoping to regain momentum and climb up the Pacific Division standings. Meanwhile, the Rangers are riding high after a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins and will look to extend their winning streak to two games. The Rangers have dominated the series in recent matchups, going 6-0-1 in their last seven games against Seattle.

Seattle Kraken: Aiming to Shake Off Recent Setback

After a brief two-game winning streak, the Kraken were dealt a tough loss by the New Jersey Devils, falling 3-2 despite a resilient effort. As they head into this game, the Kraken will need to improve on both sides of the puck if they hope to even up the season series against the Rangers and get back on track.

Offensively, the Kraken have struggled to find consistent scoring, averaging just 2.89 goals per game, ranking 21st in the league. In their most recent defeat, Seattle managed only two goals on 19 shots, underscoring their ongoing issues with offensive efficiency. Jared McCann has been the team’s most consistent contributor, leading the Kraken with 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists). Jaden Schwartz (7 goals, 11 assists) and Brandon Montour (7 goals, 11 assists) have also been solid, each posting 18 points.

Despite offensive struggles, Seattle’s defense has been relatively solid, giving up 2.96 goals per game, which ranks 12th in the league. However, they’ll need to tighten up their defensive game, especially after allowing three goals in their loss to the Devils. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer had a tough outing, stopping 33 of 36 shots but still holds a disappointing 1-8-0 record with a 3.56 goals-against average (GAA) and a .870 save percentage. Seattle will need a more effective performance from Grubauer to keep the Rangers’ high-scoring offense in check.

Seattle’s injury list is also worth noting, as Yanni Gourde (undisclosed) and Ryker Evans (hand) are both listed as questionable for this game. The absence of these key players could further hamper their chances against a tough opponent.

New York Rangers: Riding Momentum After Big Win Over Penguins

The New York Rangers will be looking to build on their 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, which allowed them to bounce back from a loss to the Devils. Their offense has been potent, ranking 8th in the league with 3.20 goals per game, and they’ll need another strong showing to fend off a hungry Kraken team.

The Rangers have been led offensively by Artemi Panarin, who has been in stellar form with 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) on the season. Panarin was the star in the victory over Pittsburgh, scoring two goals and adding an assist. Will Cuylle (9 goals, 11 assists) and Adam Fox (20 assists) have also been key contributors to the Rangers’ attack. Vincent Trocheck chipped in with a goal and two assists in the win, and Reilly Smith added a goal to further bolster the Rangers’ depth scoring.

Defensively, the Rangers have been solid, ranking 9th in the league with 2.88 goals allowed per game. In their last game, they held the Penguins to just two goals, showcasing their ability to play tight defense when needed. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin made 20 saves on 22 shots, improving his record to 9-9-1 with a 2.99 GAA and a .908 save percentage. While Shesterkin’s numbers have been somewhat inconsistent this season, the Rangers will need another strong performance from their star netminder to handle the Kraken’s offensive weapons.

Despite their solid defensive play, the Rangers will need to maintain their focus on special teams, as they’ve been inconsistent on the penalty kill. The Rangers’ power play has been more reliable, and they’ll need to capitalize on opportunities to put pressure on Seattle, who has struggled in recent games.

Brett Berard is listed as questionable with an upper-body injury, which could affect the Rangers’ lineup and depth.

Conclusion

This game presents a fascinating matchup between a Seattle Kraken team looking to regain their form and a New York Rangers squad aiming to extend their win streak. With both teams having been inconsistent this season, the key to victory will be who can execute their game plan more effectively. Seattle needs to find more offensive consistency and get a better performance from Grubauer, while the Rangers will rely on their potent top line, solid defense, and strong goaltending from Shesterkin to take down the Kraken.

Unlock Winning Insights! 

As the Kraken and Rangers battle it out, make sure you have the best information at your fingertips. Our data packages provide in-depth analysis and statistics that can help you make informed decisions and increase your chances of winning big this season! 

Don’t miss out! Click the button below to explore our data packages and elevate your game strategy today!