What’s at stake for the Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets game preview November 11 2025
Both teams enter this matchup at critical junctures in their seasons. The Kraken have managed to stay competitive despite their offensive struggles, posting a 2-2-2 record over their last six games. Their 10th-ranked scoring defense (2.87 goals against per game) has kept them in games, but their 30th-ranked penalty kill at 69.2% remains a glaring weakness that Columbus could exploit. With Joey Daccord placed on injured reserve over the weekend, Seattle will turn to either Philipp Grubauer or Matt Murray between the pipes, adding another layer of uncertainty to their defensive structure.
For Columbus, this game represents more than just ending a road trip. The Blue Jackets have lost in crushing fashion throughout this four-game skid, including two defeats after leading in the final two minutes. Head coach Dean Evason acknowledged the team’s strong compete level against Edmonton, noting that “if we play like we did tonight, we’re going to win more than we lose.” Captain Boone Jenner echoed that sentiment, calling Monday’s performance “one of our more complete games” despite the outcome.
The Metropolitan Division club has received exceptional production from their defensive corps, with 12 goals from blueliners leading the NHL. Zach Werenski sits second in the league among defensemen with an average time on ice of 26:27 and is tied for third with four goals. The young trio of Dmitri Voronkov, Adam Fantilli, and Kirill Marchenko has provided consistent offensive pressure, with Marchenko extending his career-best point streak to eight games entering this contest.
Seattle’s path to victory likely runs through neutralizing Columbus’s defensive scoring and capitalizing on special teams opportunities. While the Seattle Kraken vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup showed some lineup adjustments in their recent games, the injuries to key forwards have forced Lane Lambert to shuffle his lines constantly. Veterans Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz lead the team with matching 5-6-11 stat lines through 15 games, but the lack of secondary scoring has become problematic.
Key matchups that will decide the Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets game preview November 11 2025
The battle between Columbus’s high-powered offense and Seattle’s stingy defense will define this contest. The Blue Jackets have accumulated 47 goals through 15 games, ranking 19th in the NHL, but they’ve also surrendered 50, suggesting an open, back-and-forth style of play. With power-play units ranked 31st (13.9%) and 15th (19.6%) respectively, neither team has found consistent success with the man advantage, making five-on-five play crucial.
Kirill Marchenko enters Climate Pledge Arena as one of the hottest players in hockey. The Russian winger has compiled 17 points through the first 15 games, tied for fourth in franchise history at this stage of the season. His eight-game point streak (3-7-10) has included four points over the last two contests, making him a constant threat every time he touches the ice. Marchenko’s chemistry with Fantilli and Voronkov has given Columbus a legitimate top line capable of matching up against any opponent.
On the Seattle side, defensemen Brandon Montour and Vince Dunn provide the offensive spark from the blue line. Montour has posted a 3-6-9 line in just 11 games since joining the Kraken, while Dunn’s 2-7-9 totals lead all Seattle defensemen. Their ability to transition the puck quickly and activate in the offensive zone will test Columbus’s defensive structure, particularly after the Blue Jackets played less than 24 hours earlier.
The goaltending matchup adds intrigue to this clash. Elvis Merzlikins appears likely to get the start for Columbus in the second half of the back-to-back, sitting at 98 career victories and two wins shy of the century mark. The Latvian netminder will face a Seattle offense that has reached four goals in just three games this season. For the Kraken, Grubauer holds a .875 save percentage through three appearances, while Murray has stopped 90% of shots faced in his two starts.
Recent trends shaping the Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets game preview November 11 2025
Historical trends favor the home team in this matchup. Columbus won its inaugural visit to Seattle back in 2021 but has dropped three consecutive games at Climate Pledge Arena since, including a 5-2 defeat on November 12 of last season. Overall, the Blue Jackets hold a 3-5-0 record in the all-time series and are just 2-2 on the road against the Kraken.
The Columbus Blue Jackets at Vancouver Canucks preview from earlier in this road trip highlighted the challenges facing Dean Evason’s squad. Since dropping that game in Vancouver, Columbus has battled through an outbreak of illness that kept multiple players out of the lineup. Miles Wood and Cole Sillinger both missed the Edmonton game due to illness, and their availability for tonight remains uncertain.
Seattle has made a habit of playing tight, low-scoring affairs this season. Seven of their 15 games have been decided in overtime, with two additional contests finishing as one-goal games. This pattern suggests both teams will need to capitalize on limited scoring opportunities. The Kraken’s inability to blow teams out has kept them competitive but also prevented them from building separation in the standings.
Adam Fantilli snapped an eight-game goalless drought against Edmonton and recorded his second consecutive two-point performance. The second-year center has shown flashes of the elite talent that made him the third overall pick in 2023, and his development alongside Voronkov and Marchenko gives Columbus a dynamic young core to build around. Fantilli’s ability to win faceoffs and drive play at five-on-five will be crucial against a Seattle team that excels at limiting high-danger chances.
Special teams and tactical considerations for the Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets game preview November 11 2025
Both teams enter this game with significant special teams deficiencies that could prove decisive. Columbus ranks 31st with a 13.9% power-play conversion rate, managing just five goals on 36 opportunities through 15 games. Seattle’s penalty kill sits dead last in the NHL at 69.2%, creating a fascinating dynamic. Will the Kraken’s porous penalty kill finally allow Columbus’s struggling power play to break through, or will the Blue Jackets’ inability to convert with the man advantage continue?
Sean Monahan brings valuable experience to Columbus’s power-play unit, having recorded four points in seven career games against Seattle. The veteran center scored against Edmonton and has provided steady two-way play throughout the Blue Jackets’ challenging start. Monahan’s presence on draws and his ability to protect leads makes him indispensable in close games, something both teams have experienced frequently this season.
Damon Severson will play his 800th career NHL game tonight, reaching another significant milestone for the veteran defenseman. Severson has provided stability on Columbus’s second pairing alongside Denton Mateychuk, helping the young defenseman adjust to NHL responsibilities. The Blue Jackets have relied heavily on their defensive depth, with Jake Christiansen and Dante Fabbro rounding out the third pairing and Erik Gudbranson sidelined with an upper-body injury.
The back-to-back schedule presents unique challenges for Columbus. Playing in Edmonton on Monday night and flying to Seattle for a Tuesday game tests the depth and conditioning of any roster, particularly one dealing with illness. Evason told his team after the Edmonton loss to “get your heads up” because “this game’s gone. We’ll learn from some stuff obviously, some of those mistakes, but we competed our (butts) off and that\s what we want from the guys.”
This Pacific Northwest showdown will test the resolve of two teams desperate for positive results. The Kraken need to find offensive consistency at home, where they’ve compiled most of their victories this season. Columbus must prove that their strong underlying numbers will eventually translate to wins, particularly in hostile road environments. With both penalty kills ranked near the bottom of the league, special teams could swing this game decisively. The team that capitalizes on power-play opportunities and limits defensive-zone breakdowns will likely emerge victorious. For the Blue Jackets, ending this road trip with two points would provide momentum heading into a brief homestand before another lengthy road stretch. For the Kraken, defending home ice against a reeling opponent offers a chance to build confidence and climb the Pacific Division standings.
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.