With two wins in two games, both against Pacific Division opponents, it was a strong opening week for the Seattle Kraken. It wasn’t perfect, but honestly, I don’t think anyone could’ve scripted a better start to the Lane Lambert era.
For the first time in franchise history, the Kraken not only won their season opener but their home opener as well, taking down the up-and-coming Anaheim Ducks 3–1. The first period was rough; Seattle was outshot 17–5, but Joey Daccord was stellar, and the game was tied 1-1 after 20 minutes.
To Seattle’s credit, most of Anaheim’s shots came from the outside and were low-danger looks, but that kind of shot differential still jumps off the page. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t at least a little worried after that first period, even with the score level.
Things turned around in the second. The Kraken tilted the ice when Brandon Montour stole a puck with some slick stick work, battled to keep possession, and set up Mason Marchment for Seattle’s second goal. At that moment, shots were 20–5 for Anaheim. The rest of the way? 25–16 for Seattle.
A different kind of game against Vegas
The matchup with Vegas had a completely different vibe, more balanced, but still a strong showing. The Golden Knights are loaded up front, so holding them to just one power-play goal (after they scored nine in their first two games) was no small feat.
Heading into overtime, Vegas had a 24–15 edge in shots, but the Kraken dominated the extra frame, controlling play and outshooting the Knights 7–3.
Alison Lukan had a great nugget in her postgame instant analysis:
“On the game as a whole, in 5-on-5 play, the Kraken generated 43.8 percent of all shot volume but 57 percent of all shot quality. In regulation, the first period was the team’s strongest in each metric.”
And that doesn’t even include overtime, where the Kraken clearly built on that shot-quality advantage.
Speaking of overtime… let’s relive that winner that was buried with just 3.4 seconds left on the clock.
MCCANN CAN! 🚨
WITH 3 SECONDS LEFT IN OT, JARED MCCANN WINS IT! #SeaKraken pic.twitter.com/y38BJQvz5A
— Sound Of Hockey (@sound_hockey) October 12, 2025
Power play progress
The Kraken have one power-play goal in five opportunities, not a big sample size, but there’s plenty to like so far. They’re working the puck below the goal line more, setting up options in the slot, and finding cross-ice seams for dangerous looks.
Here’s a look at the power-play time on ice so far:
Chandler Stephenson is logging heavy minutes while Kaapo Kakko remains out of the lineup. One name missing from the mix, though, is Jani Nyman, who was used in the one-timer spot late last season.
Other musings
- The Kraken’s win over the Anaheim Ducks marked their 10th all-time victory against Anaheim, the most they’ve recorded against any opponent.
- Conversely, heading into the Vegas game, the Kraken were just 3–11–1 all-time against the Golden Knights. But over the past three seasons, Seattle has flipped that script, going 3–0–1 against Vegas, including that memorable first-ever win at the Winter Classic.
- The Kraken scored first in both games to open the season. That’s notable, considering they struck first in just 43 percent of their games last year, the third-lowest rate in the league. They also won less than 30 percent of the games in which they gave up the first goal, so playing from ahead is huge.
- I’d really like to see Shane Wright get going on this upcoming road trip through eastern Canada. The opportunity is there, and a little momentum early could do wonders for him.
- The ice has felt tilted in Seattle’s favor whenever the Jared McCann-Matty Beniers-Jordan Eberle line has been on together. That trio looks sharp and seems to be finding its rhythm again.
- Ryan Winterton has also really impressed me through two games. He’s been noticeable breaking up plays and playing a strong two-way game. The coaching staff clearly trusts him too, as he didn’t miss a shift in the third period of the Vegas game.
- On the flip side, Jani Nyman has averaged just 8:14 of ice time with no power-play minutes over the first two games. It’s not anything to panic about, but it’s quite a contrast from last season, when he averaged 14 minutes a night and played in almost half of Seattle’s power-play opportunities during his 12-game stint.
- I’m also glad to see the Kraken organization welcome Joel Quenneville back to the league in the right way.
- As much of a slog as that third period was against Vegas, that’s probably the kind of grind-it-out hockey the Kraken will need to play to beat elite, high-skill teams.
- Overseas, 2025 seventh-round pick Loke Krantz made his SHL debut for Linköping HC and notched an assist in his first game.
- Meanwhile, down in the desert, the Coachella Valley Firebirds got off to a rough start, dropping their home opener 5–0 to the San Diego Gulls. It could be a challenging season ahead for the Firebirds; they’re one of the youngest teams in the AHL.
Goal of the week
There were plenty to choose from with the Kraken this week, but this whole sequence was just too good to pass up.
always bet on beniers 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zLMSIJxeMi
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) October 12, 2025
Player performances
Matty Beniers (SEA) – Has a goal and two assists on the Kraken’s four goals so far this season.
Joey Daccord (SEA) – Sporting a .968 save percentage through the Kraken’s first two games and came up big in key moments of both. According to MoneyPuck.com, he ranks fifth in the league in Goals Saved Above Expected.
Jake O’Brien (BFD/SEA) – The Kraken’s first-round pick in the 2025 draft exploded for four goals and four assists in two games over the weekend.
The week ahead
The Kraken hit the road for a six-game road trip, starting Tuesday in Montreal for the Canadiens’ home opener. When the schedule came out this summer, this stretch jumped out as a tough early-season test, especially with players learning new systems under a new coaching staff.
Getting two wins at home probably helped accelerate the buy-in from the group which should be valuable heading out on the road. This week, Seattle faces Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. It’s still tough to gauge how good any of these teams really are and all three of these opponents already have losses. I’d be fine with three points out of a possible six, though four sure would feel nice.
What I’m watching:
- Goaltending: Joey Daccord has started the first two games, but it’s hard to imagine the team wants him playing all three this week while Philipp Grubauer and Matt Murray gather dust.
- Berkly Catton: I’m guessing Catton gets into a game after being a healthy scratch for the first two at home. I don’t mind the scratches, but you’d think he gets a look soon. Not sure if it means anything, but Beniers, Wright, and Winterton all made their NHL debuts on the road.
This trip should be another solid test for the Kraken. As I mentioned during the Kraken Roundtable, I just want to see them compete and be in every game.
Final thoughts
It’s early, but the vibes around the Kraken feel good — structure, effort, and a couple of new faces already making an impact. There’s still plenty to clean up, but two wins out of the gate and some promising trends under Lane Lambert? You’ll take that every time.
I am curious who gets the nod first between Murray and Gru. Goalie management is going to be an interesting story to watch develop. We seemed to overplay Joey last year and with 3 goalies eventually they need to figure out who is the #2 and who is #3.
Letting Joey have Habs and Leafs then taking the 2nd of the back to back against the Caps gives him good rest and consistent starts, and matches our best goalie against the stronger teams to try to build momentum. That would leave games against the Sens and Flyers, and possibly Jets so Joey can be refreshed for the Oilers.
Here’s to hoping Wright lights up the Habs.
My thought is that Gru gets the first backup game and that #2 is his position to lose. I could easily see them bouncing between the two backups and if Gru can’t get wins he’s sent to the farm, I feel he will have a very short leash. Realistically he shouldn’t even be here based on his history with the team.
Difficult choice between giving the most difficult matchup to Daccord or giving him the easiest matchup and giving yourself a better chance of winning at least one of the two road back to back games. Hindsight is 20/20 but would your opinion change if we end up 0/2 in the back to back games?
John,
Concur with all your observations. So nice to be looking down the standings for once instead of looking up.
Probably the most interesting thing will be to see how they break in Catton. Burying him on 4L line they did with Nyman is a waste. So where exactly does he slot in, that is the issue. They won’t break up 1L now, so the choices are Stephenson’s line or Wright’s line. You likely want him with an experienced C but what would Stephenson do with any offense Catton generates? Wright could do something with that offense but do you want two linemates with such limited experience?
There are really two problems to solve, Catton’s introduction and Wright’s slow start. Perhaps the best thing from a team perspective is to move Catton up with Beniers and move McCann down to help Wright get started.
Whoops, did not send that correctly.
For the young rookies, it doesn’t matter to me as much for who they pair with at center, but I want them on a line with either Eberle or Schwartz. Both are able to either take a “let them fly” approach and step back into a support role, or can switch into “cover their ass” mode and take control if necessary.
Easiest thing to do would be to swap him out for Winterton, although I could also see him slotting into Marchments spot and playing Marchment on the 4th… his game is much better suited for the 4th then Catton. Unfortunately I see Nyman getting bumped regardless of what line he’s on. Wish we had a little more room for youth but we keep signing the old guys 😂
Winterton looks like he’s ready for the NHL, Nyman did last season with more appropriate usage and Catton needs a shot but wait no room in the lineup and we still have Kakko out. What exactly was the plan?
Maybe it is best in this situation where a new coach is trying to create a culture based on rewarding effort to allow guys to play the roles that they earn instead of planning the roles out. McCann and Eberle have, in a very small sample size, played up to their top line roles, so until someone else steps up and grabs the right to play beside Beniers the positions should be theirs to lose. Also, I know that McCann and Wright work well together, but the team’s best wing, when he is healthy, should be getting the kind of big minutes that come with playing on the Beniers line.
Hey, a Saturday home win! That needs a call out too.
Looking at the PP numbers it looks like Stephenson is out there to be a second playmaker on the first unit with Dunn. And it also seemed like that’s how they used him there.
Also noticed in the second that Schwartz and Marchment changed lines. Wright has had glimpses but has mostly been invisible through 2 games. Would love to see them do a kid line of Catton – Wright – Nyman just to see what they can do.
Two for two and the best start in franchise history and half the comments on here are folks suggesting how they could better manage their lines.
Keep up the good work coach.
Go Kraken!!!
C’mon Daryl, read these more closely. The posts I started and other responded to were about how to interject Catton into the lineup.
Would be interested in your take on how they do this. And when responding, you cannot mention managing the lines. 🙂
Thoughts above from RB, Nino, Chuck Holmes KB23, Who’s on First et al regarding placement of Catton, helping Shane Wright get going, line pairings etc. are important, and substantive, and spot on. Especially compared to your snide, passive/aggressive nonsense.
To compete for a postseason spot, the Kraken will need to at least partially offset (relative to other playoff contenders) their lack of top-tier scoring talent. The only conceivable way to do this is for LL to optimize forward line combinations. The team’s goaltending will be better, the defensive play improved. Maximizing the forward group’s performance will be the difference between making and missing the playoffs.
So sorry if the thread above ruined your 2-0 jubilee celebration.
Nope… Jubilee intact. Excited for four o’clock puck drop.
Go Kraken!!!
Catton can go down to CV for a conditioning stint after, what, two weeks? I wonder if they hold him out for that waiting period right away, send him down, then get him more regular playing time when he comes back.
Scratched five games = AHL
Ah, that’s it. Eligible after missing 5 consecutive games, conditioning loan lasts a maximum of 14 days.
John, I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments on Quenneville. Nice win made even better hanging an “L” on that guy.
What I’m thinking;
Sub Murray for Joey on the road and expose Grubi to injury as little as possible. As the season advances maybe the Kraken can move him for draft picks if some other club really needs an experienced netter. Maybe after the Olympics.
Play who you think gives you the best chance of winning. Period. On top of that, I got a bridge to sell you if you think anyone is taking Grus contract and giving picks back.
😂
There is some insight in this idea. PG always plays better when the stakes are high, so expect he will make a good showing at the Olympics. He also does have some playoff pedigree. If the Kraken were to retain half his remaining salary, that is better than the 2/3 buyout cost. I imagine only future considerations might be coming back but playoff bound teams are usually free with the draft picks to stockpile players for their Stanley Cup run, so who knows?
As I mentioned some time ago, and it is early days yet, but if MM’s play is serviceable this season, then that under-the-radar signing could easily be the best summer move by GMJB. It not only protects the Kraken’s MVP (Joey) from exhaustion, but give Kokko more time to prepare to be the Kraken backup keeper in the near future.
You’d have to eat Gru’s salary AND send Buoy, an prospect, and a few draft pics to get someone to bite.
I’m sorry… but are you guys out of your mind??? Even with 50% retained you’re sending picks out to get rid of Grubauer – good picks – you’re not getting anything back.
He’s not going anywhere other than Coachella and the Olympics.
I think, now that you have jumped on my bandwagon of sending PG into the sun, you have traveled too far in your enthusiasm. Stanley Cup hunting teams will stockpile both D and G, because injury there is a death knell for their hopes. If PG, because of the competition with MM, and that is one thing he responds to, has a season above .900, I can see one of the playoff aspirants taking him as a 3G for insurance. It is up to him to not suck this year and between the MM competition and the Olympics, it is possible.
Because not buying him out was a head scratcher for almost all of us, you have to think GMJB has a plan like this in mind. He certainly does not need a $5.9m backup at CV. Let’s see how this plays out, but will give JB some credit here for thinking ahead.
Okay Chuckles
Not buying him out isn’t a head scratcher in the least. Why pay four years of buyout when you have plenty of cap space and nothing to fill it (plus no good goalies available on the market). You should be giving credit for not doing the buyout as well.
Koist, I would have liked to see them buy him out. I also have no problem with them not buying him out. Exactly as you said, it’s not limiting their cap options and with Murray signed they have an alternative.
It seems like a lot of folks think every move has to be either a big win or it’s a terrible decision. It also seems like there’s a lot of clamoring for teams to “do something” … especially in the media. Sometimes that works, sometimes not.
It’s not what I would have wanted done, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand it and I can completely accept the thinking.
Looking forward to seeing how the backup role plays out.
Maybe there is a small chance that if Gru plays well we could get rid of him at the deadline with 50 percent retained and a third team picking up another 1.5 million of his contract or something like that. Probably would cost us a late round pick going to the third team to get it done but it’s possible.
With the new rules there has to be 75 league days between retentions now so the idea of double retention on a player like Gru is almost certainly a non-starter.
Another nice bit from the Kraken’s victory over Vegas on Saturday…
Daily Faceoff has a weekly Survivor Pool where folks have to pick one winner from a game, usually Saturday. This past Saturday was the first week and already, with 14 games on the schedule, more than one third of contestants have lost one of their two chances to be wrong because they picked Vegas over Seattle. This also included the two hosts of the podcast Daily Faceoff Live – Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton.
Go Kraken!!!
Lot of negative Gru and Stevenson talk once again and so early in the season. The lineup is what it is…
I look forward to continuing supporting the team and am so far encouraged by the direction and style of play coaching staff is trying to install.
Go Kraken!!!
This road trip will be a good test to see if the 2-0 start was a fluke or not.
I’m ready to drink the Kraken kool aid if they win the second game of the back-to-back against the Caps on Tuesday.