Seattle Kraken vs Calgary Flames Showdown at 7 PM
Exciting Showdown Looms for Seattle Kraken’s Goalie Lineup
Seattle Kraken’s Intensifying Goalie Competition
The Seattle Kraken find themselves in an intriguing preseason narrative focused around their goaltending lineup. Philipp Grubauer is set for a critical test as the battle for the No. 2 goalie position heats up against Matt Murray. While Joey Daccord is anticipated to be the No. 1 starter, neither Grubauer nor Murray can afford to leave anything to chance.
Recently, Murray impressed by stopping 33 of 36 shots in a steadfast performance against the Vancouver Canucks. This marks an encouraging return to form following his hip surgery two years ago. “I just have more range and a lot less pain,” Murray noted postgame. Kraken coach Lane Lambert praised Murray’s “fantastic game” during the media scrum.
The weight of these limited preseason appearances is significant in Lambert’s overall evaluation of the goalies. “Games carry a bit more weight, obviously, but all three, including Joey Daccord, have managed their performance well,” Lambert stated. Grubauer, who made 17 saves out of 19 shots in his sole preseason outing against the Flames, is expected to play a full game in the upcoming face-off against Calgary.
Key Opportunities for Prospect Berkly Catton
As the preseason unfolds, rising star Berkly Catton is gradually acclimating to the NHL’s rigorous competition, preparing for his fourth game in five Kraken contests. This time, he will line up on the left wing alongside Matty Beniers and Jani Nyman, following in the footsteps of Kaapo Kakko, now sidelined by injury.
Although Catton has yet to score a preseason point, his play has grown more assertive, particularly in his last outing with Freddy Gaudreau and Eeli Tolvanen. The Kraken are keen to see if Catton can prove he’s a force on the ice, not easily outmuscled during playmaking opportunities.
Nyman, also facing a challenge, shifts from left to right wing, filling the vacancy left by Kakko. With a team-leading four goals, Nyman will demonstrate his versatility and ability to fill the gap on the right side. Both the Kraken injury list and the new lineup combinations are closely monitored as Jared McCann and Chandler Stephenson eye returns for the regular season opener on October 9.
Calgary Flames’ Defense Shows Promise
The Calgary Flames’ defense features several contenders vying for positions, spearheaded by 19-year-old Zayne Parekh. Parekh, the 9th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, has already made significant strides, scoring his first preseason goal against Winnipeg and securing extensive ice time.
The competition for the defensive bottom pairing remains fierce. Young Hunter Brzustewicz is among those challenging veterans like Jake Bean, Daniil Miromanov, Ilya Solovyov, and Yan Kuznetsov for spots. Moreover, Everett Silvertips alumni and goalie Dustin Wolf may get another chance to showcase his skills after a strong showing against the Kraken last week in Calgary.
The projected Kraken lineup features:
- Forwards: Catton-Beniers-Nyman, Marchment-Wright-Tolvanen, Kartye-Gaudreau-Hayden, Stephens-Molgaard-Winterton
- Defense: Dunn-Larsson, Lindgren-Fleury, Evans-Oleksiak
- Goalies: Grubauer, Murray
