Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars game preview: Momentum, history and tactical details

The Seattle Kraken and Dallas Stars meet at the American Airlines Center for a matchup between two teams riding positive momentum. Both clubs secured victories on Saturday night, with the Kraken pulling off a dramatic overtime win in St. Louis and the Stars battling past Nashville 5-4 on the road. This back-to-back scenario presents an interesting test of depth and resilience, as both squads look to carry their winning form into what promises to be a tightly contested affair.

The clash features two teams sitting second in their respective divisions, with Dallas holding 19 points in the Central and Seattle carrying 18 points in the Pacific. History heavily favors the Stars in this matchup, as they’ve dominated the series with a 10-1-1 all-time record against the Kraken, including a perfect 5-0-1 mark on home ice. More impressively, Dallas has won six consecutive games against Seattle dating back to December 2023, outscoring them 20-6 during that stretch.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars game preview: Kraken looking to break historic drought

The Kraken face a daunting challenge when examining the historical context of this rivalry. Dallas has established complete dominance since Seattle entered the league, and breaking that pattern will require the same level of execution displayed during Saturday’s comeback victory. The Stars have proven particularly difficult to crack at home, where they’ve never lost to the Kraken in regulation.

For Seattle, the key to changing this narrative lies in replicating their second-period performance from St. Louis. In that middle frame, they limited the Blues to just five shots while generating 15 of their own, demonstrating the structured approach coach Dan Bylsma demands. This defensive discipline combined with opportunistic offense represents the blueprint for success against a Stars team that ranks 19th in the league at 3.00 goals per game.

The Kraken’s recent form suggests they’re capable of competing with anyone. Their 7-3-4 record reflects a team finding its identity under their coaching staff’s system. The dramatic comeback against St. Louis wasn’t just about Shane Wright’s overtime heroics—it showcased a team with character and resilience. When trailing 2-0 after the first period, lesser teams might have folded, but Seattle’s response in the second period demonstrated their maturity and commitment to the game plan.

Mason Marchment’s return to Dallas adds an intriguing storyline to this contest. The forward tallied 44 goals and 100 points over the past two seasons with the Stars, ranking sixth in team scoring and leading the club in both penalties taken and drawn with a plus-37 rating. His familiarity with the Stars’ systems and personnel could provide Seattle with valuable insights, though Dallas will be equally familiar with his tendencies.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars game preview: Stars navigating roster transformation

Dallas enters this game amid significant roster transformation. The acquisition of Mikko Rantanen and his eight-year, $12 million per season contract necessitated difficult salary cap decisions. Mikael Granlund, Cody Ceci, Evgenii Dadonov, Mason Marchment, and Matt Dumba all departed, representing substantial NHL talent and scoring depth. Last season’s group that ranked third in the league at 3.35 goals per game has been reconfigured, though the Stars remain competitive.

The impact of these changes is evident in Dallas’s offensive output, which has dropped to 3.00 goals per game this season. However, Rantanen has delivered immediate dividends, leading the team with 21 points and ranking tied for third in league scoring. Wyatt Johnston continues his impressive development with 19 points, including nine goals, while young players like Thomas Harley and Mavrik Bourque aim to fill the void left by departed veterans.

Despite the roster turnover, the Stars maintain their characteristic competitiveness. Their 8-4-3 record includes some inconsistency—a three-game winning streak followed by a four-game skid, then another three-game streak before splitting their last five. This volatility suggests a team still finding its rhythm under new coach Glen Gulutzan while integrating new personnel and adjusting to significant departures.

Casey DeSmith is expected to start in goal for Dallas, with Jake Oettinger having played Saturday night against Nashville. DeSmith provides reliable backup goaltending, though facing a Kraken team fresh off an emotional overtime victory could present challenges. Seattle will look to test him early and establish the type of offensive zone time they generated during their second period against St. Louis.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars game preview: Special teams battle could decide outcome

The special teams matchup presents a fascinating contrast. Dallas boasts the league’s most potent power play at 32.7 percent, converting an impressive 18 of 55 opportunities. Seattle’s power play sits at a respectable 21.4 percent, though they’ve struggled in this area compared to the Stars’ elite conversion rate. With both teams featuring skilled offensive players, staying out of the penalty box becomes paramount for the Kraken.

The penalty kill units show near-identical effectiveness, with Dallas at 70.8 percent and Seattle at 70.2 percent. This parity suggests that while power play opportunities could swing the game, neither team holds a significant advantage when defending shorthanded. The Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025 reveals personnel decisions that will impact these special teams battles.

Faceoff dominance represents another area where Dallas holds an edge. The Stars rank 10th in the NHL at 52.4 percent faceoff wins, while Seattle struggles near the bottom at 30th with just 44.9 percent. This disparity in the dot could prove crucial for special teams success and overall puck possession. Chandler Stephenson’s ability to win key faceoffs for Seattle will be tested against a strong Dallas center group.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars game preview: Key players poised to make impact

Eeli Tolvanen’s breakthrough performance in St. Louis could signal a turning point for the Finnish winger. Coach Dan Bylsma praised Tolvanen’s overall play throughout the season despite his lack of scoring, maintaining him on the power play as a vote of confidence. His three-point night, including his first goal of the season, might catalyze the offensive production the coaching staff anticipated. Tolvanen’s ability to one-time rebounds and shoot with authority makes him dangerous when positioned correctly in the offensive zone.

Ryker Evans returned to the lineup with an outstanding performance that extended beyond his goal and assist. His skating ability and offensive instincts from the blue line provide Seattle with a weapon that can stretch opposing defenses. Bylsma specifically highlighted Evans’ skating prowess and complete performance, suggesting the young defenseman has earned increased responsibility moving forward. His presence gives Seattle four defensemen capable of contributing offensively alongside Vince Dunn, who continues quarterbacking the power play.

For Dallas, Miro Heiskanen represents a constant threat from the back end. He tied his career high with four assists against Anaheim earlier this month, demonstrating the playmaking vision that makes him one of the league’s premier defensemen. Averaging 25:26 of ice time per game, Heiskanen logs massive minutes against top competition while maintaining offensive production. In his career against Seattle, he’s recorded 11 points in 10 games with a plus-5 rating, averaging 1.10 points per game.

Jordan Eberle leads the Kraken with five goals and sits tied for the team lead with 10 points. The veteran forward also paces Seattle forwards with 31 shots, consistently putting pucks on net and generating scoring chances. In his fifth season with the franchise, Eberle ranks third in all-time franchise scoring with 187 points. His experience and scoring touch become critical in tight games against quality opponents like Dallas, particularly given his track record of 17 points in 37 career games against the Stars.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars game preview: Tactical adjustments and coaching chess match

The tactical battle between the coaching staffs will play a significant role in determining the outcome. Dan Bylsma has emphasized structure and defensive responsibility while encouraging opportunistic offense, as evidenced by Seattle’s second period in St. Louis. The Kraken’s ability to limit shots against while generating quality chances themselves represents the foundation of their game plan. Achieving “second period dominance” has become a talking point for Seattle, with Bylsma stressing the importance of either taking advantage or being taken advantage of during that middle frame with the long change.

Glen Gulutzan faces his own challenges in his first season behind the Dallas bench. Integrating new players while maintaining the Stars’ competitive edge requires careful lineup management and system implementation. The departure of several key contributors means role adjustments throughout the roster, with depth players like Sam Steel, Colin Blackwell, and Radek Faksa expected to assume larger responsibilities. How quickly these players adapt to increased roles will impact Dallas’s consistency moving forward.

Line matching becomes crucial in this matchup, particularly for Seattle on the road. The Kraken need to avoid having their checking line consistently face Dallas’s top offensive threats. The projected lineup suggests flexibility, with Shane Wright centering what could be considered a third line that also possesses offensive capability. This depth allows Bylsma to deploy different looks against various Dallas combinations while maintaining scoring threat across three lines.

Defensive zone coverage will be tested by both teams’ skilled forwards. Dallas’s ability to cycle the puck and create shooting lanes requires disciplined gap control and active sticks from Seattle’s defenders. Conversely, the Stars must account for the Kraken’s ability to generate chances off the rush and through their mobile defense corps. The team that executes their defensive structure most effectively will likely create the transition opportunities that lead to offensive chances. Much like the Seattle Kraken vs San Jose Sharks game preview: Kraken riding momentum suggested, maintaining positive momentum requires consistent execution of defensive principles.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars game preview: Back-to-back scheduling factors

The back-to-back nature of this game introduces fatigue as a significant variable. Both teams played Saturday night and traveled afterward, creating nearly identical circumstances in terms of rest and preparation time. However, the emotional expenditure differs considerably. Seattle’s dramatic comeback and overtime victory required significant mental and physical energy, while Dallas’s road win in Nashville, though close at 5-4, was secured in regulation.

The travel logistics slightly favor Seattle despite playing on the road. Flying from St. Louis to Dallas represents a shorter trip than many back-to-back scenarios, though any travel on game day impacts preparation routines. Dallas traveled from Nashville, also a relatively short flight, giving neither team a distinct advantage in terms of physical rest. The question becomes whether Seattle’s emotional high from the comeback victory carries over positively or leads to a letdown.

Depth players become increasingly important in back-to-back situations. Fourth-line contributions take on added significance when top players might be managing fatigue. Ben Meyers’ screen on Ryker Evans’ goal Saturday exemplifies the type of blue-collar work that becomes essential in these grinding games. For Dallas, the depth adjustments following their roster changes mean less experienced players may need to deliver meaningful minutes in what could be a tight checking affair.

Goaltending management also factors into the equation. Philipp Grubauer likely starts for Seattle after Joey Daccord played Saturday. For Dallas, Casey DeSmith appears slated to play with Oettinger having faced Nashville. Fresh goaltenders could keep the game low-scoring, though both teams have shown offensive capability. The NHL’s official game preview suggests Murray will be between the pipes for Seattle, providing veteran stability in a challenging road environment.

The Seattle Kraken face a stern test in Dallas, where history and current form both favor the Stars. Breaking a six-game losing streak against an opponent requires exceptional execution and perhaps some fortunate bounces. However, Seattle’s recent performance suggests they possess the structure and talent to compete with anyone. The key lies in replicating their disciplined second-period play from St. Louis while finding ways to solve Dallas’s stingy defensive coverage. Special teams excellence and timely goaltending could prove decisive in what should be a tightly contested battle between two playoff-caliber teams. According to the Stars’ game day guide, this marks the first of three meetings this season, setting the stage for an important divisional rivalry matchup.

For the Stars, protecting home ice against a team they’ve dominated historically should be the expectation. However, with roster turnover creating new chemistry challenges and the back-to-back scheduling potentially impacting performance, nothing can be taken for granted. Dallas must leverage their power play advantage while staying disciplined to avoid giving Seattle’s skilled players opportunities with the man advantage. The return of Mason Marchment to the building adds narrative intrigue, but the focus must remain on securing two points and continuing their strong home record against the Kraken.