Seattle Kraken vs Detroit Red Wings projected lineup November 18, 2025: who’s in, who’s out, and what to watch at Little Caesars Arena

Seattle Kraken vs Detroit Red Wings projected lineup November 18, 2025: forward combinations

Kraken top nine

1. Mason Marchment – Matty Beniers – Jordan Eberle
2. Jaden Schwartz – Chandler Stephenson – Jani Nyman
3. Eeli Tolvanen – Berkly Catton – Shane Wright

Coach Dave Hakstol is keeping the Beniers line together after they combined for six points in the last two games. Marchment’s net-front presence has opened space for Beniers’ east-west creativity, while Eberle remains the finisher on the right half-wall. The Schwartz-Stephenson-Nyman unit is the heavy-minutes shutdown trio; Stephenson leads all Seattle forwards in defensive-zone starts (58 %) and has helped Nyman’s transition from Liiga look seamless. Catton, the 19-year-old 2024 first-rounder, gets another audition between two wingers who can shoot (Tolvanen) and retrieve (Wright).

Red Wings top nine

1. Alex DeBrincat – Dylan Larkin – Lucas Raymond
2. Patrick Kane – J.T. Compher – Emmitt Finnie
3. Marco Kasper – Nate Danielson – Mason Appleton

Derek Lalonde is riding the hot hand: the DeBrincat-Larkin-Raymond line has produced five 5-on-5 goals in the last four games. Kane and Compher have developed instant chemistry; Kane’s four primary assists in his last six starts have all come off Compher’s cycle work below the goal line. Rookie Finnie, a 2023 second-rounder, keeps his spot after registering his first NHL point versus New York. Kasper-Danielson-Appleton gives Detroit a 200-foot identity, with Danielson winning 56 % of his draws so far.

Seattle Kraken vs Detroit Red Wings projected lineup November 18, 2025: defensive pairs and usage

Kraken pairs

• Vince Dunn – Adam Larsson (24–26 min a night vs. top competition)
• Ryan Lindgren – Brandon Montour (second-pair, 55 % offensive-zone starts)
• Ryker Evans – Jamie Oleksiak (third-pair, penalty-kill specialists)

Dunn is day-to-day after blocking a shot Saturday but took the full morning skate; his ability to walk the blue line on PP1 is critical against Detroit’s aggressive top forecheck. Larsson’s 61 % on defensive-zone draws is best among Seattle D-men. Evans continues to audition for a top-four role next season; his 5.2 expected goals added via transition passes ranks second on the club behind Dunn.

Red Wings pairs

• Simon Edvinsson – Moritz Seider (shutdown pair, 0.92 xGA/60)
• Ben Chiarot – Axel Sandin-Pellikka (offense-oriented, 57 % OZ starts)
• Travis Hamonic – Albert Johansson (grit/penalty kill)

Edvinsson’s reach and Seider’s gap control have limited opponents to 22 shots per 60 when they’re on together—top-10 among NHL pairs with 100-plus minutes. Sandin-Pellikka, the 19-year-old Swedish rookie, quarterbacks PP2 and already has three primary assists from the point. Johansson gets the nod over Jacob Bernard-Docker thanks to a 54 % shot-share in limited minutes.

Goalies and special teams in the Seattle Kraken vs Detroit Red Wings projected lineup November 18, 2025

Kraken crease

• Starter: Joey Daccord (activated Monday after five-game absence)
• Backup: Philipp Grubauer
• Injured: Matt Murray (lower body, six weeks)

Daccord was stellar before injury (.925 SV %, 2.18 GAA) and gets the call in the first half of a back-to-back. Grubauer will likely start tomorrow in Columbus. Seattle’s penalty kill sits 12th (81.9 %), but Daccord’s high-danger save percentage shorthanded is an eye-popping .900.

Red Wings crease

• Starter: Cam Talbot
• Backup: John Gibson
• Injured: none

Talbot has won four straight, posting a .933 SV % during the streak. Detroit’s PK is eighth (84.1 %), and Talbot’s rebound control has been a big reason—only 22 second-chance shots against in his last 180 minutes.

Injury report and roster notes

Kraken

• Jared McCann (lower body) skated in red jersey Monday; week-to-week
• Kaapo Kakko (lower body) placed on IR retroactive to Nov 9
• Cale Fleury, Josh Mahura healthy scratches

Red Wings

• No injuries; same 12 forwards and 6 defensemen from Sunday’s win

Key matchups and advanced stats to track

1. Beniers vs. Larkin—Two Selke candidates who each start 60 % of their shifts in the offensive zone. Whoever wins the head-to-head (expected 8–10 minutes at 5-on-5) could swing shot-share.
2. Dunn-Seider chess match—Dunn has 12 points in 14 games; Seider draws the shutdown assignment. Watch for Seider’s stick-on-puck in neutral ice to force Dunn into early dumps.
3. Special-teams edge—Detroit’s PP is clicking at 24 % (T-6th), while Seattle’s is 19 % (18th). If the Kraken can stay out of the box, they nullify a Wings weapon.

Betting market snapshot (odds via SportsGambler)

• Moneyline: Red Wings –135, Kraken +115
• Puck-line: Wings –1.5 (+190)
• Total: 6 (Over –105)

The market is shading Detroit because of home-ice and Talbot’s form, but sharps have pounced on Seattle +1.5 (–210) given Daccord’s return and the Kraken’s 7-3 road record.

What the coaches said

Dave Hakstol on Daccord’s activation:
“He’s been our most consistent goalie. Getting him back stabilizes everything—from breakouts to penalty kill confidence.”

Derek Lalonde on keeping the same lineup:
“Sometimes the best move is no move. We liked our pace in MSG; now we have to match that against a Seattle team that’s been one of the best road clubs.”

Seattle Kraken vs Detroit Red Wings projected lineup November 18, 2025: final takeaway

Expect a one-goal game. Detroit’s high-end top six gives it a slight edge in star power, yet Seattle’s depth and a rested Daccord level the ice. If the Kraken can force the Wings’ third pair into defensive-zone starts, they’ll create the margin they need. Conversely, Detroit wins if Edvinsson-Seider limit Beniers and the power pot converts an early chance. Either way, the night should provide another data point in what’s quietly become one of the NHL’s most intriguing inter-conference rivalries.

For more Seattle lineup intel, revisit our breakdown of the Kraken vs Dallas Stars projected lineup November 9, 2025—many of the same forward combinations are still intact. And if you’re curious how Catton and Wright looked in their first few NHL games, check our October 23, 2025 Kraken at Winnipeg Jets preview for early-season film notes.