Game #29 Preview: Seattle Kraken at New Jersey Devils

The essentials:

Matchup: Seattle Kraken at New Jersey Devils

Date: December 6, 2024

Time: 7:00 p.m. ET

Transmitted: MSG, KHN, King 5, Kong, ESPN+

Hear: Devils Hockey Network

Last Devils game: The Devils defeated the New York Rangers 5-1 at Madison Square Garden. Check out Chris’ recap of this game.

Last Kraken game: Last night the Kraken defeated the New York Islanders with a final score of 5-2. Check out the recap of this game on NHL.com.

Current dynamics: The Devils have won seven of their last 10 games and three of their last five, for a record of 17-9-2. Before Thursday night, the Kraken had won five of their last 10 games and two of their last five, for a record of 12-13-1.

Lineups

Seattle Kraken

Seattle used the following lines and matchups in its game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Forward

Jaden Schwartz – Matty Beniers – Yanni Gourde

Jared McCann – Chandler Stephenson – Brandon Tanev

Eeli Tolvanen – Shane Wright – Oliver Bjorkstrand

Tye Kartye – Mitchell Stephens – Ryan Winterton

defender

Vince Dunn-Adam Larsson

Jamie Oleksiak – Brandon Montour

Josh Mahura – Will Borgen

goalkeeper

Joey Daccord

Philipp Grubauer

Grubauer is the planned starter against the Devils.

New Jersey Devils

According to Amanda Stein, the Devils have been practicing with the following lines and matchups.

monitor injury

According to Amanda Stein, Erik Haula did not practice on December 3rd because he was being evaluated for an undisclosed illness.

What you should pay attention to

The bottom half team needs to be taken seriously

The team stats show that Seattle isn’t impressive in any category. Heading into their game against the Islanders on Thursday night, the Kraken were ranked 20th with 74 goals scored, according to NHL.com. They were 18th in goals allowed with 78. Seattle ranked 20th with 2.85 goals per game. They are in the bottom half of the NHL in goals allowed per game, allowing three goals per game. The Kraken’s power play was not good, ranking 30th in the league (more on that in a minute), while their penalty kill ranked 22nd (per NHL.com). Other than that, the Kraken traveled to North Carolina on Tuesday and defeated a Hurricanes team that sits three points behind the Devils in the Metropolitan Division. On paper, this is a game the Devils SHOULD win, but as the old cliché goes, that’s why they play the games. Any team can beat anyone on any given night. After a big win against their Hudson River rivals, the Devils can’t afford to play a disappointing game against the Kraken on Friday.

Kraken’s special teams

The Devils’ power play has been efficient this season, but there may not be many opportunities on Friday night. The Devils convert on 34.5 percent of their power play opportunities, but the Kraken commit fewer than three penalties per game, one of the lowest rates in the NHL (according to NHL.com). This game will likely be decided in 5v5, which is fine by the Devils as they have an xGF% of 53.91 this game and are one of the better 5v5 teams in the NHL were (according to Natural Stat Trick).

The Kraken may also prefer to play 5-on-5 because they have major problems with the man advantage. Heading into Thursday night’s game, Seattle is converting less than 15 percent of its power play opportunities (per NHL.com). New Jersey has quietly been one of the most penalized teams in the league, with 110 penalties this season. Regardless of Seattle’s power play issues, hopefully the Devils remain disciplined in this game and can attack the Kraken at 5-on-5.

Injury problems and return of Vince Dunn

At the end of November, Kraken captain Jordan Eberle was placed on long-term injured reserve. Eberle suffered a pelvic injury that required surgery and will be out until the second half of the season, according to ESPN. Following Eberle’s transfer to LTIR, the Kraken activated defenseman Vince Dunn from injured reserve. Devils fans may know Dunn. Before signing Dougie Hamilton and Dunn to Seattle, Dunn was one of the potential defensemen New Jersey was pursuing to upgrade its blue line. Dunn had a career year in 2022-23, recording 14 goals, 50 assists and a +/- rating of +28 (per NHL.com) with the Kraken. Dunn missed the 2023-2024 season with a neck injury, but Seattle is hoping his return to the lineup will provide a much-needed spark this season. Dunn had a goal and two assists against the Isles on Thursday.

Player to watch: Jared McCann

Jared McCann leads the Kraken with ten goals and 23 points (before the game against the Isles). Like Dunn, McCann had a career year in 2022-23, scoring 40 goals with 30 assists and helping Seattle get to the playoffs. McCann’s stats dipped slightly last season, scoring just 29 goals and posting a +/- of -11 (per NHL.com). If the Kraken want to be successful, McCann needs to have a season like he did two years ago.

Your thoughts

What will you pay attention to? Will the Devils avoid disappointment in this matchup? Will the Devils stay out of the penalty box? Let us know if the comments below. Thanks for reading and GO DEVILS!