Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025

The Seattle Kraken and Dallas Stars are set to clash at the American Airlines Center on November 9, 2025, with both teams entering the matchup riding high-octane momentum from thrilling victories the previous night. The Kraken pulled off a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory against the St. Louis Blues, scoring with just two seconds remaining in regulation before Shane Wright netted his first NHL overtime winner. Meanwhile, the Stars battled to a 5-4 road victory over the Nashville Predators, extending their resilience despite dealing with several key injuries. This back-to-back scenario creates an intriguing dynamic, as fatigue could play a factor for both squads who traveled overnight to Dallas.

With Seattle entering at 7-3-4 and Dallas at 8-4-3, this matchup presents two teams trending in opposite directions yet maintaining competitive standings. The Kraken have shown remarkable grit under coach Dan Bylsma, overcoming significant injuries to key players, while the Stars are navigating their own injury challenges including the loss of captain Jamie Benn to a collapsed lung. The projected lineups reveal both depth and vulnerability for each franchise, setting the stage for a competitive Western Conference showdown.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025: forward combinations

The Kraken’s forward group for this contest showcases a blend of veteran leadership and emerging talent. On the top line, Jaden Schwartz will anchor the left wing alongside center Matty Beniers and Kaapo Kakko on the right. This combination provides Seattle with a balanced attack, as Schwartz brings playoff experience and two-way reliability while Kakko continues his season debut campaign with the organization.

The second line features newly acquired Berkly Catton centering Chandler Stephenson and Jordan Eberle. Stephenson’s clutch scoring ability was on full display against St. Louis, where he netted a crucial mid-range goal. His chemistry with Eberle, one of Seattle’s most consistent offensive producers, provides the Kraken with a formidable secondary scoring threat. This line’s responsibility will be matching up against Dallas’s depth forwards while generating offense.

Seattle’s third line presents an intriguing mix with Mason Marchment, Shane Wright, and Ryan Winterton. Wright’s overtime heroics in St. Louis demonstrated his growing confidence and ability to deliver in pressure situations. The fourth overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft has been making significant strides this season, and his combination with the veteran Marchment could prove problematic for Dallas’s defensive pairings.

The fourth line of Tye Kartye, Ben Meyers, and Eeli Tolvanen rounds out the forward group. Tolvanen’s breakthrough three-point performance against the Blues, including his first goal of the season, suggests he may be heating up at an opportune time. Coach Lane Lambert praised Tolvanen’s overall play this season and expressed optimism that the goal could “catapult him into some offense.” Meyers has also proven valuable in his screening role, as demonstrated on Ryker Evans’ goal against St. Louis.

Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025: defensive pairings and goaltending

The Kraken’s blue line will be led by the pairing of Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson. Dunn continues to quarterback Seattle’s power play and demonstrated his offensive capabilities in St. Louis with a powerful shot that created the rebound for Tolvanen’s goal. Larsson provides the defensive stability and physical presence that allows Dunn the freedom to jump into the offensive rush.

Ryan Lindgren will partner with Brandon Montour on the second pairing, forming one of Seattle’s most reliable defensive tandems. Montour brings Stanley Cup experience and offensive instincts from the blue line, while Lindgren adds a defensive conscience to the pairing. Their ability to transition the puck quickly and join the rush makes this duo particularly dangerous in the modern NHL.

The third pairing features Josh Mahura alongside the imposing Jamie Oleksiak. This combination provides Seattle with size and reach, as Oleksiak’s 6-foot-7 frame creates problems for opposing forwards attempting to establish net-front presence. Mahura’s mobility complements Oleksiak’s stay-at-home tendencies, creating a balanced pairing capable of handling difficult matchups.

Between the pipes, Matt Murray is projected to get the start. With Joey Daccord sidelined with an upper body injury and not traveling with the team to Dallas, Murray has assumed a larger role in the goaltending rotation. Philipp Grubauer will serve as the backup, providing Seattle with experienced depth should Murray falter or face heavy workload. The loss of Daccord represents a significant blow to Seattle’s goaltending depth, making Murray’s performance critical to the team’s success.

Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025: analyzing the forward lines

The Stars’ forward configuration reflects both their offensive firepower and injury-related adjustments. The top line features Sam Steel centering the dynamic duo of Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen. Rantanen has been exceptional since joining Dallas, leading the team with eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points in just 15 games. Johnston, the young star, has matched that production with nine goals and 10 assists, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier young talents.

Dallas’s second line showcases the veteran firepower of Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, and Tyler Seguin. This trio represents the backbone of the Stars’ offense, with Robertson and Hintz forming one of the NHL’s most productive combinations over recent seasons. Seguin’s experience and playmaking ability provides this line with the capacity to dominate possession and create high-danger scoring chances. Similar offensive depth was highlighted in the Dallas Stars vs Tampa Bay Lightning projected lineup October 30, 2025 matchup earlier this season.

The third line combination of Oskar Back, Justin Hryckowian, and Colin Blackwell represents Dallas’s depth scoring options. This unit will be tasked with providing energy and maintaining momentum when the top two lines rest. Their ability to contribute offensively while not surrendering scoring chances will be crucial in a back-to-back situation where fatigue could become a factor.

Adam Erne, Radek Faksa, and Mavrik Bourque comprise the fourth line. Faksa brings veteran leadership and faceoff prowess, winning crucial defensive zone draws that allow Dallas to relieve pressure. Bourque, a highly-touted prospect, continues his development at the NHL level, showing flashes of the skill that made him a first-round selection. This depth throughout the lineup is what makes Dallas dangerous even when dealing with injuries to key players like Matt Duchene and captain Jamie Benn.

Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025: defensive structure and netminding plans

The Stars’ defensive corps is anchored by the elite pairing of Esa Lindell and Miro Heiskanen. Heiskanen, one of the NHL’s premier two-way defensemen, provides Dallas with a game-breaking talent capable of impacting play at both ends. His skating ability, hockey IQ, and offensive instincts make him a nightmare for opposing teams to defend against. Lindell complements Heiskanen perfectly, providing physical play and defensive responsibility that allows his partner to activate offensively.

Thomas Harley and Ilya Lyubushkin form the second pairing, offering a contrasting style combination. Harley brings offensive creativity and mobility, while Lyubushkin provides a physical, defensive-minded presence. This pairing’s ability to transition the puck efficiently while maintaining defensive structure will be tested against Seattle’s speed and skill through the neutral zone.

The third pairing features Lian Bichsel and Alexander Petrovic, with Bichsel representing Dallas’s future on the blue line. The young defenseman continues his development, gaining valuable NHL experience while the Stars navigate injuries to their defensive depth. Petrovic provides veteran stability and a physical edge, willing to engage in battles along the boards and clear traffic from the crease.

Casey DeSmith is projected to start in goal after Jake Oettinger handled the workload against Nashville. This decision reflects standard back-to-back management, giving Oettinger rest while allowing DeSmith to maintain his sharpness. DeSmith has proven capable when called upon, providing Dallas with reliable goaltending depth that is crucial during the grueling NHL season. Oettinger will be available if needed, but the expectation is that DeSmith will handle the full game unless circumstances dictate otherwise.

Key injuries and lineup implications for Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025

The injury situation significantly impacts both teams’ strategies and depth charts. For Seattle, Joey Daccord’s upper body injury that prevented him from traveling represents a notable loss. Daccord had been providing quality starts and strong competition for the starting role, forcing the Kraken to rely more heavily on Murray and Grubauer. Additionally, Ryker Evans returned from an upper body injury to deliver a stellar performance against St. Louis, earning praise from coach Lane Lambert who noted, “I thought [Ryker] was outstanding, actually. It’s not just the numbers he put up, but he’s also a great skater.”

The absence of Jared McCann due to a lower body injury removes one of Seattle’s most consistent offensive producers from the lineup. McCann’s ability to play both wing and center provides the Kraken with valuable lineup flexibility that must be replaced by committee. Frederick Gaudreau’s upper body injury further depletes Seattle’s center depth, placing additional responsibility on Beniers, Stephenson, and Wright to handle increased ice time and matchup responsibilities.

Dallas faces even more significant injury challenges with captain Jamie Benn sidelined due to a collapsed lung, a serious injury that will keep him out for an extended period. Benn’s leadership and two-way play are irreplaceable, forcing younger players to assume larger roles. Matt Duchene’s ongoing upper body issue has been described as “lingering,” with no definitive timeline for his return. The veteran center’s absence removes a key faceoff specialist and penalty kill contributor from the lineup.

Nils Lundkvist’s lower body injury further strains Dallas’s defensive depth, forcing the Stars to utilize young players like Lian Bichsel in larger roles than initially anticipated. These injuries create opportunities for prospects and depth players to prove their worth, but they also present vulnerabilities that opposing teams like Seattle will attempt to exploit. The Kraken’s recent experience navigating similar injury challenges, as seen in their Seattle Kraken vs St. Louis Blues projected lineup and storylines for November 8, 2025 matchup, may provide them with insights on how to pressure Dallas’s adjusted lineup.

Tactical considerations for the Seattle Kraken vs Dallas Stars matchup on November 9, 2025

The back-to-back nature of this game creates unique strategic considerations for both coaching staffs. Seattle’s second period performance against St. Louis, where they limited the Blues to just five shots while generating 15 of their own, provides a blueprint for success. Coach Lane Lambert emphasized the importance of that frame, stating, “We always talk about second periods and how you can either take advantage of teams or they take advantage of you. I thought we did a really good job of managing the puck in that period.”

Dallas will look to leverage their home-ice advantage and the offensive firepower of Rantanen and Johnston to establish an early lead. The Stars have shown inconsistency this season, starting with three straight wins, then losing four consecutive games before another three-game win streak. This volatility suggests that the team that establishes momentum early will likely control the game’s tempo and outcome.

Seattle’s power play, which found success against St. Louis with Tolvanen’s one-timer goal off a Vince Dunn rebound, will need to capitalize on opportunities against a Dallas penalty kill that has been stretched thin by injuries. The Kraken’s ability to get bodies to the net, exemplified by Ben Meyers’ screening on Evans’ goal, must continue as a focal point of their offensive attack.

Defensively, both teams will emphasize limiting high-danger chances and supporting their goaltenders. For Seattle, this means continuing the puck-hounding mentality that generated turnovers and transition opportunities in St. Louis. Dallas will rely on their defensive structure, particularly the elite play of Miro Heiskanen, to neutralize Seattle’s speed through the neutral zone and limit rush chances.

The matchup between Seattle’s Kraken and Dallas Stars represents more than just two points in the standings. Both teams are establishing their identities for the 2025-26 season, navigating significant injuries while attempting to build winning habits that will serve them through the long campaign. Shane Wright’s overtime heroics and growing confidence suggest Seattle’s young core is maturing at the right time. Meanwhile, Dallas’s ability to grind out victories despite missing key contributors demonstrates championship-level depth and resilience. With projected starter Casey DeSmith facing a motivated Kraken team riding emotional momentum from their dramatic comeback, and Matt Murray looking to build on Seattle’s road success, this Sunday evening matchup promises competitive hockey between two Western Conference contenders finding their way through adversity.