Islanders Face Kraken in Key Matchup at UBS Arena

ELMONT, N.Y. — The New York Islanders face off against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday evening at UBS Arena, wrapping up a back-to-back series following their 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday. The game is set to start at 5 p.m. ET.

The Islanders, holding a record of 12-8-2, are eager to bounce back after a challenging home loss, where captain Anders Lee scored their only goal. The defeat halted their momentum after a successful road trip where they went 6-1-0, dropping their home record to 4-4-1 this season.

Meanwhile, the Kraken approach the game with a record of 11-5-5 and fresh off a 3-2 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins. In that game, Brandon Montour scored the decisive goal while Matty Beniers and Mason Marchment also contributed goals for Seattle. The Kraken are riding a two-game winning streak and have secured four wins in their last five matches.

Islander’s head coach Patrick Roy confirmed goaltender David Rittich will start against the Kraken. Rittich has been solid this season, with a 5-2-0 record, 2.99 goals against average (GAA), and a save percentage of .896. At home, his stats are even better, boasting a 2.76 GAA and .904 save percentage.

For the Kraken, Joey Daccord is expected to be in net. Daccord holds a respectable record of 7-3-3 this season with a 2.78 GAA and .900 save percentage. He has also fared well against the Islanders, going 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA in previous encounters.

This match is significant for both teams, with the Islanders seeking to improve their home game performance while the Kraken aim for a playoff rebound after a two-year absence. The Kraken, under first-year head coach Lane Lambert, currently sit third in the Pacific Division with 27 points.

As the puck drop approaches, both teams are adjusting their lineups after Saturday’s games. The Islanders are 1-3-0 in their first games of back-to-back sets this season but are undefeated in the second game, holding a record of 3-0-0.