Wild Clashes with Kraken in Key NHL Matchup

SEATTLE, Wash. — The Minnesota Wild face off against the Seattle Kraken tonight at Climate Pledge Arena at 10 p.m. ET, marking the second matchup of the season between the two teams. The Wild, currently sitting third in the Central Division, aim to build on their momentum from a recent shutout victory against the Boston Bruins.

The Wild (35-22-4, 74 points) are looking to overcome a recent three-game losing streak which they snapped with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Boston on Sunday. Center Freddy Gaudreau netted the lone goal, with Filip Gustavsson successfully stopping all 28 shots to record his fourth shutout of the season.

In their last matchup on October 12, the Wild fell to the Kraken (5-4) in a shootout at Xcel Energy Center, where Kirill Kaprizov led Minnesota with three points. Despite the setback, the Wild hold a strong historical record against Seattle, boasting a 6-3-1 all-time mark against them, including a 4-1-0 record in Seattle.

The Kraken (26-31-4, 56 points) enter the game after a commanding 6-3 victory against the Vancouver Canucks, showing signs of improvement after a turbulent stretch. Jaden Schwartz currently leads Seattle with 19 goals, while Eeli Tolvanen follows closely with 18.

Statistics reveal a slight edge for the Kraken on the power play, with a conversion rate of 19.4% compared to the Wild’s 18.1%. However, both teams have struggled on the penalty kill, with the Wild at 76.5% and the Kraken at 70.5%.

“We need to focus on keeping our pressure and not allowing Minnesota to dictate the pace if they score first,” said Kraken forward Schwartz. “They are a skilled team, and we need to contain their offense while taking advantage of their penalties.”

Despite missing key players like Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov due to injuries, the Wild are expected to field a competitive lineup with potential standout performances from Matt Boldy and Marco Rossi, both contributing effectively this season.

Tonight’s contest is crucial for both teams as they vie for improved positioning in their respective divisions. Given their recent form and head-to-head history, fans can expect an exciting night of hockey as the Kraken look for a win against a formidable Wild squad.