Behind Enemy Lines: Nashville Predators vs Seattle Kraken

Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators skates the puck up ice against Alex Barré-Boulet #12 of the Seattle Kraken in the first period at Bridgestone Arena on October 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators skates the puck up ice against Alex Barré-Boulet #12 of the Seattle Kraken in the first period at Bridgestone Arena on October 14, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Game four of the Predator’s road trip is tonight against the Kraken. Nashville will go up against Seattle after the second-year franchise pieced together its first four-game win streak.

The Kraken have taken down Calgary, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh (twice) in their winning streak.

Ahead of tonight’s contest, the Predators will likely be using the same lineup from Vancouver when they pulled a 4-3 comeback victory on Saturday night.

The Kraken held an optional skate this morning with a few updates regarding their lineup.

Jared McCann is a game-time decision and Martin Jones was the confirmed starter by head coach Dave Hakstol.

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Jones has a 5-9-2 record all-time against the Predators with a 3.29 goals against average. Last time out against the Predators Jones was a member of the Philadelphia Flyers and fell 5-4 to Nashville back in March.

Tearing it up for the Kraken this season is rookie Matty Beniers. The first-ever NHL draft pick used by Seattle has nine points in 13 games this season leading all rookies in scoring.

Beniers has been playing on Seattle’s second forward line this season and on the second powerplay unit. His first career game-winning goal was against the Flames last Tuesday.

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 25: Matty Beniers #10 of the Seattle Kraken skates against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena on October 25, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 25: Matty Beniers #10 of the Seattle Kraken skates against the Buffalo Sabres during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena on October 25, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Seattle’s leading scorer this season is Jaden Schwartz. The former St. Louis Blue has 10 points in 13 games and leads the Kraken with four powerplay goals.

The Kraken’s powerplay ranks ninth this season (26.1%) with 46 opportunities.

Schwartz has 16 points in 30 games all-time against the Predators. He last scored a point against Nashville back in February of 2020.

Another threat on Seattle’s offense is Andre Burakovsky. He’s garnered 10 points as well with two of his three goals coming on the man advantage this season.

Seattle will aim to extend their franchise-best winning streak against the Predators to open their six-game homestand in Climate Pledge Arena.

On the blueline, the Kraken have Jamie Oleksiak who ranks ninth in total hits by a defenseman this season. Oleksiak has 39 hits while teammate Carson Soucy isn’t so far behind with 35 hits.

The six-foot-seven blueliner also has 16 penalty minutes this season with two fighting majors.

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Vince Dunn is the Kraken’s most prolific scorer on the blueline in their short tenure so far in the NHL. Dunn has 43 points in 86 games (9 G 34 A). This season Dunn has eight points playing alongside Adam Larsson.

Puck drop is set for 9 pm CT with the game being broadcasted on TNT and on 102.5 The Game with Max Herz and Hal Gill on the call.

Projected Seattle Kraken lineup via Daily Faceoff

Offense

Burakovsky – Wennberg – Bjorkstrand

Schwartz – Beniers – Eberle

Tanev – Gourde – McCann

Donato – Geekie – Sprong

Defense 

Dunn – Larsson

Oleksiak – Schultz

Soucy – Borgen