Blue Jackets vs Kraken: Predictions and Lineups for Tuesday’s NHL Matchup

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Seattle Kraken are set to face off in an NHL matchup on Tuesday, November 12, at Climate Pledge Arena. The Blue Jackets, currently sitting at 5-7-2, are looking to break their five-game losing streak. In their last outing, they lost 4-2 to the Anaheim Ducks, a game that saw them struggle to keep up after a tied first period[2][6].

The Seattle Kraken, with a record of 6-8-1, are also seeking to improve their standings. They come into this game after a hard-fought 4-3 overtime victory against the Vegas Golden Knights, where Jared McCann played a crucial role with two goals and two assists on the power play[2][6].

The projected lineups for the Blue Jackets include key players such as Adam Fantilli, Sean Monahan, and Kirill Marchenko on the first line, while Cole Sillinger and Zach Werenski are expected to contribute significantly. Elvis Merzlikins is slated to be in goal for the Blue Jackets, despite his recent struggles, including a poor performance against the Los Angeles Kings where he allowed four goals on 22 shots[3].

The Kraken’s lineup features a potent top line consisting of Jared McCann, Matty Beniers, and Jordan Eberle, who have combined for 36% of the Kraken’s goals this season. Joey Daccord is expected to start in goal for the Kraken, following his solid performance in the overtime win against the Golden Knights[3][6].

Predictions favor the Kraken, with advanced models giving them a 59% chance of winning. The Blue Jackets, however, are expected to keep the game close, with a 61% chance of covering the +1.5 puck line[4].

The game is anticipated to be high-scoring, given the defensive struggles of both teams. The Blue Jackets are averaging 3.14 goals per game but are also giving up 3.50 goals per game, while the Kraken average 2.87 goals per game and allow 3.20 goals per game[2][6].