The Seattle Kraken arrive at Canada Life Centre on Thursday night looking to snap a frustrating trend against the Winnipeg Jets while closing out a challenging road trip. With a record of 3-2-2, the Kraken face a formidable opponent in the Jets, who have surged to a 5-1-0 start and currently ride a five-game winning streak. The puck drops at 8 p.m. ET as Seattle attempts to end a winless streak against Winnipeg that stretches back to early 2024.
This matchup comes at a critical juncture for both teams. The Kraken are looking to recover from a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday, where defensive lapses and turnovers proved costly. Meanwhile, the Jets have established themselves as one of the NHL’s hottest teams, allowing just 1.6 goals per game while scoring at a clip of 3.8 goals per contest. For Seattle, this final game of their road trip represents an opportunity to build momentum, but it will require addressing the issues that have plagued them recently.
Breaking the winless streak against Winnipeg in the Seattle Kraken at Winnipeg Jets game preview Oct 23 2025
The numbers tell a sobering story for Seattle when facing Winnipeg. The Kraken are winless in their last five meetings with the Jets, posting an 0-3-2 record dating back to March 8, 2024. This represents their second-longest active streak of futility against a single opponent, trailing only their 0-5-1 mark against Dallas since December 2023.
While the Kraken collected points in both meetings last season, showing they can compete with Winnipeg, the inability to secure a victory has become a mental hurdle that needs clearing. The tight nature of those previous games suggests Seattle has the capability to challenge the Jets, but execution in critical moments has been lacking.
One persistent issue in these matchups has been the Kraken’s tendency to fall behind early. Against Washington, Seattle showed impressive resilience in the final period but found themselves down three goals before mounting their pushback. Starting games with defensive discipline and offensive purpose will be essential against a Jets team that capitalizes on early opportunities.
The return of Mason Marchment, who Kraken coach Lane Lambert termed a game-time decision after missing Tuesday’s game with a lower-body injury, could provide a significant boost. Marchment’s presence on the second line alongside Chandler Stephenson and Eeli Tolvanen adds a physical element and net-front presence that will be crucial against Winnipeg’s defense. Having him available would give Seattle another weapon to attack Connor Hellebuyck, who despite facing high shot volumes, maintains elite save percentages.
Defensive structure and goaltending keys for Seattle Kraken at Winnipeg Jets game preview Oct 23 2025
Joey Daccord is expected to return to the net after sitting out the Washington game, where Matt Murray faced a barrage of shots, including 16 in the second period alone. Daccord’s last outing was a difficult one, surrendering five goals on 21 shots in Philadelphia before being pulled after two periods. The extended rest should benefit the young goaltender, but the Kraken’s defensive corps must provide better support than they have in recent games.
Shot blocking has been one of Seattle’s strengths this season, as they rank tied for fourth in the NHL with 16.5 blocked shots per game alongside Anaheim. This defensive commitment will be critical against a Jets offense that features multiple dangerous scoring lines. Maintaining that physical sacrifice while executing proper defensive structure could be the difference between victory and defeat.
The Kraken defense struggled with turnovers against Washington, giving the puck away eight times compared to the Capitals’ four giveaways. One lost battle along the boards resulted in a 3-on-1 break that Washington converted for the game’s opening goal. Against a team as opportunistic as Winnipeg, such mistakes will be magnified. The defensive unit of Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson must set the tone, while the second and third pairings need to limit high-danger chances.
Jaden Schwartz’s status adds another layer of intrigue to Seattle’s lineup. The veteran forward blocked a shot in Washington and was seen hobbling off the ice, though he finished the game. His presence at morning skate suggests he’ll be ready to go, and his experience on the third line with Shane Wright and Jani Nyman provides valuable depth scoring potential. Having a healthy lineup going into this game would give Seattle its best chance to compete against the NHL’s hottest team.
Winnipeg’s dominant start and offensive firepower in Seattle Kraken at Winnipeg Jets game preview Oct 23 2025
After dropping their season opener to Dallas by a single goal, Winnipeg has been nearly unstoppable, rattling off five consecutive victories. Their 5-1-0 record reflects a team firing on all cylinders, with contributions coming from throughout the lineup. The Jets defeated Calgary 2-1 on Monday and appear set to dress the same lineup that secured that victory.
The top line of Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor, and Gabriel Vilardi ranks among the NHL’s most dangerous forward combinations. Scheifele’s playmaking ability, combined with Connor’s elite shooting and Vilardi’s two-way game, creates matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. The Kraken will likely deploy their top defensive pairing of Dunn and Larsson against this unit, but secondary scoring from Winnipeg’s depth lines has been equally impressive.
Winnipeg’s forward depth extends beyond the first line. The third line featuring Alex Iafallo, Vladislav Namestnikov, and Brad Lambert has provided consistent production, with Lambert being the nephew of Kraken coach Lane Lambert. The Jets’ ability to roll four lines that can contribute offensively makes them particularly difficult to defend over a full 60-minute game.
Morgan Barron took normal line rushes during Thursday’s morning skate after missing Wednesday’s practice with an undisclosed injury. His availability strengthens Winnipeg’s fourth line and adds another defensive-minded forward who can win faceoffs and kill penalties. With Cole Perfetti sidelined with an ankle injury, Dylan Samberg out with a wrist issue, and Adam Lowry recovering from hip surgery, the Jets have managed injuries well while maintaining their impressive start.
Connor Hellebuyck and the Jets defensive system in Seattle Kraken at Winnipeg Jets game preview Oct 23 2025
While Connor Hellebuyck garners much of the attention for Winnipeg’s defensive success, the system in front of him deserves equal credit. The reigning Vezina Trophy winner faces significant shot volumes but maintains elite save percentages due to his positioning and the quality of defensive coverage provided by his teammates. Hellebuyck’s ability to make saves look routine disguises the difficulty of the stops he makes regularly.
The Jets’ defensive structure funnels shots to the outside while limiting second-chance opportunities. Josh Morrissey and Dylan DeMelo form a formidable top pairing, with Morrissey’s offensive instincts complemented by DeMelo’s steady defensive play. The second and third pairings of Logan Stanley with Neal Pionk and Haydn Fleury with Luke Schenn provide a combination of size, mobility, and experience.
For the Kraken to generate scoring chances, they must establish a net-front presence and create chaos in front of Hellebuyck. The Jets allow opponents to take shots from distance, confident in Hellebuyck’s ability to make saves on low-danger attempts. Seattle needs players like Marchment, if healthy, along with Tye Kartye and Wright to battle for position in the slot and screen the Winnipeg netminder.
The Jets have allowed only 1.6 goals per game, the stingiest mark among teams the Kraken have faced this season. That defensive prowess combined with their offensive firepower makes them perhaps Seattle’s toughest test yet, even more challenging than their earlier victories over Vegas and Toronto. The Kraken demonstrated they can beat elite teams, but replicating that success requires consistency in all three zones.
Key matchups and special teams battle for Seattle Kraken at Winnipeg Jets game preview Oct 23 2025
The battle between Seattle’s top line and Winnipeg’s defense will be crucial. Berkly Catton, the young rookie, centers Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle in what has become the Kraken’s most productive forward combination. Catton’s hockey IQ and playmaking ability have been impressive early in his NHL career, while Eberle provides veteran leadership and a scoring touch. This trio must generate offensive pressure to force Winnipeg’s defense into uncomfortable situations.
Special teams could determine the outcome of this tightly-contested matchup. The Kraken currently sit in the middle of the pack in both power-play and penalty-kill efficiency, while Winnipeg’s special teams have been effective during their winning streak. Discipline will be critical for Seattle, as spending time in the penalty box against Winnipeg’s potent power play could prove fatal to their chances.
The faceoff circle represents another key battleground. Winnipeg’s centers, particularly Scheifele, excel at winning draws, which allows the Jets to control possession and establish offensive zone time. The Kraken’s center depth of Beniers, Stephenson, Wright, and Ben Meyers must compete hard on draws to give their team a chance to possess the puck and execute their systems.
Depth scoring will likely decide this contest. While top lines on both teams should produce chances, the team that gets secondary scoring from its third and fourth lines often emerges victorious in tight games. Seattle’s third line of Schwartz, Wright, and Nyman has shown flashes of effectiveness, and Ryan Winterton on the fourth line provides energy and forechecking pressure. Similarly, Winnipeg’s bottom-six forwards have contributed throughout their winning streak, making this a battle of complete rosters rather than just star power.
As the Kraken take the ice at Canada Life Centre, they face a Jets team playing at an elite level while carrying their own burden of recent struggles against this opponent. The formula for success is clear: start strong, limit turnovers, establish defensive structure, and get bodies to the net against Hellebuyck. With Mason Marchment potentially returning and Jaden Schwartz appearing ready to play through injury, Seattle has the pieces to compete. However, execution in critical moments and maintaining discipline over 60 minutes will determine whether the Kraken can finally break through against Winnipeg and end their road trip on a positive note. For a team looking to establish itself as a playoff contender, stealing points from one of the NHL’s hottest teams would send a clear message about their capabilities.
Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.