Oilers Face Kraken at 7:00 PM: NHL Showdown

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Oilers Face Kraken at 7:00 PM: NHL Showdown

The Edmonton Oilers are set to face off against the Seattle Kraken at 7:00 PM in a highly anticipated NHL showdown. Both teams are preparing for the upcoming season, with key players looking to make an impact during this preseason matchup.

Player Lineups for the Game

The Kraken will deploy a strong forward lineup featuring some of their standout players. Right winger Ryan Winterton will take the ice alongside centerman Shane Wright and veteran Jaden Schwartz. Schwartz has shown impressive performance in the preseason, making him a notable asset for the team.

Another duo to watch is Berkly Catton paired with center Matty Beniers and captain Jordan Eberle on right wing. Their previous performance showcased a combination of speed and skill, making them a formidable unit.

Adding depth, the fourth line will consist of Oscar Fisker Molgaard between Tye Kartye and Jani Nyman, all looking to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

Defenseman Pairings

On the defensive front, the absence of key players like Montour, Dunn, and Evans complicates the lineup. If healthy, Dunn is likely to team up with Larsson, although this remains uncertain. For this matchup, Josh Mahura is set to pair with Larsson, while Ryan Lindgren partners with Cale Fleury, and Jamie Oleksiak joins Ville Ottavainen.

The Kraken currently have six healthy defensemen available, and there is optimism with Montour expected to return soon. The signing of Lindgren as a free agent in July continues to prove to be a wise choice for the team.

Oilers Preseason Performance

The Edmonton Oilers enter this game with a preseason record of 4-1-1. They are playing their seventh out of eight exhibition games. Leon Draisaitl has been a standout player, recording two goals and two assists in a recent 4-3 victory over Vancouver. His linemates, Connor McDavid and Trent Frederic, also contributed significantly with a combined nine points.

However, concerns linger among fans regarding the goaltending situation. The performance of Stuart Skinner has come under scrutiny, raising questions about his readiness for the regular season.

Projected Line Combinations

Here are the projected line combinations for the Kraken:

  • Schwartz – Wright – Winterton
  • Catton – Beniers – Eberle
  • Marchment – Tolvanen – Gaudreau
  • Kartye – Molgaard – Nyman

The defensive pairings are expected to be:

  • Mahura – Larsson
  • Lindgren – Fleury
  • Oleksiak – Ottavainen

In goal for the Kraken, Joey Daccord will take the starting position, while Philipp Grubauer is anticipated to provide backup.

This NHL showdown between the Oilers and Kraken promises to be an exciting matchup as both teams fine-tune their lineups ahead of the regular season.