The highly anticipated matchup between the Seattle Kraken and the New York Islanders is set for 2:00 p.m. Sunday. The Kraken head into this game after displaying impressive resilience in their previous outings. Head coach Lane Lambert is optimistic, citing the team’s strong third-period performance against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a model for future success.
Kraken’s Recent Performance
The Kraken played a thrilling game Saturday night, showcasing grit despite falling behind on the scoreboard. Lambert believes that their ability to push back and create offense should be present from the outset. “We need to start strong and continue to defend as hard as we can,” he emphasized before the team’s flight to New York.
Philipp Grubauer’s stellar performance in goal has been vital for the Kraken, but Joey Daccord is expected to take the net in today’s game. Fans have noticed the team’s competitive spirit as attendance grows across away games, including significant turnouts in cities like Detroit and Chicago.
Special Teams Update
The Kraken’s power play has also been a bright spot, ranking 10th in the NHL for road games. Lambert praised the communication and puck movement during practices, particularly from defensemen Vince Dunn and Brandon Montour. He avoided labeling the power play units distinctly, highlighting their overall effectiveness throughout the season.
- Power play generated significant scoring chances
- Units contributed key goals in high-pressure moments
In their recent win over Pittsburgh, the Kraken’s penalty kill faced challenges yet managed to contain one of the league’s best power plays until the final moments of the game. Lambert noted the improvement in their penalty-killing efforts, adjusting strategies to maintain competitiveness against strong offenses.
Islanders’ Current Form
The New York Islanders, coached by Patrick Roy, are also in high spirits, having recently climbed to third in the Metropolitan Division. Their record stands at 5-1-1 over the past seven games, showcasing balanced scoring throughout the roster. Bo Horvath leads with 14 goals, contributing to the team’s offensive depth.
On a successful road trip, 17 Islanders players managed to get on the scoresheet, reflecting their collective effort. Despite a loss to St. Louis, the team remains confident, focusing on clarity and presence during games. “We’re playing well and can win many more if we stay focused,” Roy stated following their recent performances.
Projected Lineups
| Seattle Kraken | New York Islanders |
|---|---|
| Marchment-Beniers-Eberle | Beauvillier-Barzal-Horvath |
| Schwartz-Stephenson-Tolvanen | Palmieri-Nelson-Duclair |
| Catton-Gaudreau-Wright | Pageau-Cizikas-Glossy |
| Kartye-Molgaard-Winterton | Lee-Pageau-Subban |
| Dunn-Larsson | Pelech-Pulock |
| Lindgren-Montour | Aho-Dobson |
| Evans-Oleksiak | Romanov-Dunn |
| Daccord (goalie) | Varlamov (goalie) |
This matchup promises to be an exciting clash between two competitive teams with strong playoff aspirations. As the Kraken aim to capitalize on their recent momentum, they must harness their strengths and focus on executing their game plan effectively against the Islanders.
