Kraken Kick Off Crucial Road Trip, Blue Jackets Eyeing Playoff Push
Seattle Kraken vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Seattle Kraken (17-21-3, 20-21 PL, 19-20-2 O/U) face off against the Columbus Blue Jackets (18-17-6, 22-19 PL, 28-12-1 O/U) on Thursday evening in an exciting inter-conference battle. This crucial matchup, set to take place at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, sees both teams fighting to stay in the playoff hunt, with both squads coming off pivotal recent games.
Seattle Kraken Begin Crucial Road Trip
The Seattle Kraken have been struggling with consistency and are now embarking on a difficult five-game road trip, which could make or break their playoff hopes. Currently, the Kraken sit eight points outside of a wildcard spot in the tightly contested Western Conference. Their recent form has been rocky, as they have managed just two wins in their last five games, including a pair of defeats at home to the Edmonton Oilers and New Jersey Devils.
In their most recent game, Seattle lost 3-2 to New Jersey, a team that has proved to be a difficult matchup for the Kraken. A major issue for Seattle has been its offensive production, which ranks 22nd in the league with just 2.9 goals per game. The team has struggled to generate consistent scoring from key players, with Jared McCann, the team’s top scorer, having cooled off significantly. He has only recorded two points in his last five games. Oliver Bjorkstrand, another offensive contributor, is in the midst of a slump, having failed to score in the last 10 games.
However, there have been some bright spots for the Kraken. Matty Beniers, despite an overall dip in performance, has registered four points in his past five games. On the blue line, Ryker Evans has emerged as a breakout player, tallying 18 points while averaging 20 minutes of ice time. Goaltending continues to be a challenge for Seattle, with Philipp Grubauer posting disappointing numbers this season (3.46 GAA, .880 SV%) and struggling to regain form. Backup Joey Daccord has shown better numbers (2.51 GAA, .912 SV%), but he remains a question mark heading into this contest.
Columbus Blue Jackets Eyeing Playoff Spot
The Columbus Blue Jackets have made strides this season and are looking to continue climbing toward a potential wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference. After a tough start to the year, Columbus has bounced back and is currently riding a solid 3-2 record in their last five contests. The most recent victory for Columbus was a 3-2 shootout win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, which helped to keep them in the playoff race. Columbus has already shown they can compete with some of the best teams in the league, including a memorable win against the Carolina Hurricanes last week.
A key factor in Columbus’s improved form has been the stellar play of Zach Werenski, the team’s top defenseman. Werenski has racked up 11 points in his last six games and currently sits with 46 points on the season. His presence on both ends of the ice has been a major catalyst for the Blue Jackets’ offense and defense. Kirill Marchenko is another player to keep an eye on, as he has been on fire recently, notching five points in his last five games. He has 45 points this season and boasts an impressive +22 rating.
However, the Blue Jackets have been dealing with some injury issues. Kent Johnson, an emerging star for Columbus, is currently sidelined with an injury and has contributed 23 points in 25 games this season. Columbus will also be without Johnny Gaudreau, a key offensive piece, making their ability to generate offense even more important in this matchup. Despite these setbacks, the Blue Jackets’ offense remains potent, averaging 3.3 goals per game (6th in the league). However, their defense remains a concern, as they are allowing a league-worst 3.6 goals per game, which ranks 32nd in the NHL.
In net, Elvis Merzlikins will likely continue to get the majority of the starts. Although he has been inconsistent (3.17 GAA, .887 SV%), he has managed to keep his team competitive. Backup goalie Daniil Tarasov has posted even worse numbers (4.25 GAA, .857 SV%) and remains a significant liability.
Conclusion
The Seattle Kraken and Columbus Blue Jackets are both teams with a lot to prove. Seattle’s road woes have hampered their playoff push, while Columbus must continue to score in bunches to mask their defensive inefficiencies. The outcome of this game could have significant implications for both teams as they jockey for playoff positioning.
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