Kraken Set to Battle Sharks in Crucial Home Game

SEATTLE, WA — The Seattle Kraken (8-4-5) host the San Jose Sharks (8-7-3) Saturday night at Climate Pledge Arena, aiming to build on their recent momentum after a 5-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets. The puck is set to drop at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN+, following the Kraken’s recent rise in the Pacific Division standings.

The Kraken are looking to maintain their advantage at home, where they have posted a record of 5-1-3 so far this season. However, they are eager to avenge their last encounter with San Jose, which ended in a lopsided 6-1 loss at home. Coaches and fans alike recall how previous encounters with the Sharks have derailed the Kraken’s season trajectory, making this game feel critical.

San Jose comes into the match after a 2-0 setback against the Calgary Flames. Their recent performances saw them allowing two or fewer goals in eight of their last ten games, showcasing a solid defensive front. Kraken head coach Lane Lambert stressed the importance of scoring quickly to put pressure on the Sharks.

Star center Macklin Celebrini leads the Sharks with 10 goals, having excelled since being the No. 1 overall pick last year. The Kraken need to watch out for his offensive prowess, alongside other young talents like Will Smith and William Eklund.

Injury concerns remain for the Kraken, with Kaapo Kakko sidelined due to a lower body injury. However, players such as Mason Marchment and Freddy Gaudreau are expected to take on vital roles. Lambert confirmed that having Gaudreau back would help the Kraken’s forecheck and penalty kill efforts.

As the Kraken prepare to face the Sharks again, they understand that their success hinges on applying pressure and avoiding mistakes in defensive transitions. The home crowd at Climate Pledge Arena is ready for a decisive victory, hoping for some early goals against their rivals.

This will be the second matchup of the season between the two teams, and with playoff spots starting to tighten, both squads are eager for the win.