Kraken at Blues Game Preview: Montreal?

The Seattle Kraken travel to Enterprise Center looking to bounce back from a disappointing home loss to San Jose, while the St. Louis Blues hope to build momentum after snapping a lengthy losing streak. With both teams sitting in the middle of their respective divisions, this Saturday evening clash carries significant weight as the season approaches its first quarter mark. The Kraken enter with a 6-3-4 record but face a crucial test playing back-to-back road games without their starting goaltender, while the Blues (5-8-2) are showing signs of life after enduring a seven-game skid that threatened to derail their season before Thanksgiving.

Both coaches have made bold decisions recently, scratching key players to send messages about effort and accountability. The results have been mixed, but the intensity surrounding this matchup suggests two teams desperate to establish consistency and climb their division standings. With lineup changes, goaltending questions, and special teams struggles to address, this Seattle Kraken at St. Louis Blues game preview examines the critical factors that will determine which team emerges with two valuable points.

Kraken facing adversity without Joey Daccord

The biggest storyline for Seattle heading into this contest is the absence of goaltender Joey Daccord, who remained in Seattle with an upper-body injury being evaluated. The Kraken announced Daccord as day-to-day Saturday morning, forcing head coach Lane Lambert to turn to his veteran tandem of Philipp Grubauer and Matt Murray for back-to-back games this weekend. Based on morning skate rotations, Grubauer is expected to get the start against St. Louis, with Murray likely handling Sunday’s matchup in Dallas.

Daccord has been a reliable presence for the Kraken this season, posting a 6-2-3 record with a 2.83 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage. His absence forces Seattle to rely on Grubauer, who has had an inconsistent campaign thus far. The German netminder will need to provide stability for a team that struggled defensively in Wednesday’s loss to the Sharks, where San Jose managed to break through repeatedly despite the Kraken’s possession advantages.

The back-to-back nature of this road trip adds another layer of complexity. Grubauer and Murray will need to split duties, and neither has played consecutive games recently. This rotation strategy could work in the Kraken’s favor if both goaltenders stay sharp, but it also means there’s no safety net if one struggles. The defense corps will need to step up and limit quality chances, particularly against a Blues team that has found some offensive rhythm in recent games.

Lambert’s decision to go with Grubauer suggests confidence in his veteran’s ability to handle a Blues team that has been inconsistent offensively. St. Louis has struggled to generate consistent scoring threats during their recent slide, but they’ve also shown they can explode for multiple goals when everything clicks. Grubauer’s experience in these situations could prove invaluable, especially if the game remains tight in the third period.

Power play woes continue to plague Seattle

The Kraken’s power play struggles reached a concerning low point in the San Jose loss, going zero-for-six with limited dangerous chances. Coach Lane Lambert was particularly critical of his team’s first three man-advantage opportunities, noting that Seattle failed to generate enough shots and tried to be too cute with their passing. According to the official team preview, Lambert emphasized the need for a simpler approach: “We have to understand that we’re not going to pass our way into the net.”

The third-period power plays showed more promise, with the Kraken finally getting pucks to the net and creating some traffic in front of the opposing goaltender. Jamie Oleksiak’s goal against Chicago earlier in the week demonstrated the value of getting shots through from the point, while Vince Dunn has routinely created opportunities with his willingness to shoot or make smart passes to Brandon Montour in key moments. The challenge now is replicating that shoot-first mentality from the opening faceoff rather than waiting until desperation sets in.

Seattle’s power play personnel remains talented enough to succeed. Jordan Eberle provides veteran poise and a scoring touch, Chandler Stephenson can distribute the puck effectively, and the blue line trio of Dunn, Montour, and Larsson all possess offensive instincts. The issue isn’t talent—it’s execution and mentality. The Kraken need to simplify their approach, create net-front chaos, and capitalize on rebounds rather than searching for the perfect passing sequence.

Against a Blues penalty kill that has been vulnerable at times this season, Seattle has an opportunity to break through and restore confidence in their special teams. St. Louis has allowed power play goals in bunches during their struggles, and the Kraken need to take advantage of any chances they receive. A successful power play could be the difference between earning two points or leaving Missouri empty-handed, especially if the game remains close throughout.

Line juggling aims to spark offensive production

Lambert has turned to line shuffling in an effort to generate more scoring chances, and Thursday’s practice featured several notable combinations. Matty Beniers, who has shown chemistry with Jordan Eberle throughout much of the season, found himself centered between Jaden Schwartz and Kaapo Kakko instead. Meanwhile, Eberle shifted to a line with Chandler Stephenson and rookie Berkly Catton, creating an intriguing blend of veteran savvy and youthful energy.

The Beniers-Kakko pairing carries particular interest given their productive second-half partnership last season after Kakko arrived from the New York Rangers. Lambert acknowledged their history when discussing the lineup changes, noting that chemistry and familiarity matter when teams struggle to score. “I like to keep lines pretty consistent, but when you’re not scoring, you have to make some changes,” Lambert explained, summarizing the coaching dilemma facing teams in offensive slumps.

The third line featuring Mason Marchment, Shane Wright, and Ryan Winterton reunites players with AHL Coachella Valley connections. Winterton and Wright developed chemistry in the minors, and Lambert praised Winterton’s skating ability and defensive responsibility as complementary skills for Marchment’s power forward style. This line could provide energy and forechecking pressure that wears down the Blues’ defense over 60 minutes, creating opportunities for Seattle’s skill players to capitalize.

The fourth line of Tye Kartye, Ben Meyers, and Eeli Tolvanen needs to maintain its identity as a checking unit while contributing occasional offense. Kartye has shown a nose for the net throughout his young career, while Tolvanen possesses the shooting talent to score in bunches when confidence is high. If Lambert’s line shuffle pays dividends, it will likely be because multiple trios contribute rather than relying too heavily on one combination to carry the offense. Much like when the team faced San Jose earlier this week, balanced scoring will be essential for road success.

Blues emerging from their darkest stretch

St. Louis appeared to hit rock bottom during a seven-game losing streak that yielded just two points from 14 available. The skid featured lopsided losses, defensive breakdowns, and a general lack of identity that raised questions about the team’s direction under new head coach Jim Montgomery. However, back-to-back wins over Edmonton and Buffalo have provided a glimmer of hope that the Blues can salvage their season before it spirals completely out of control.

Thursday’s 3-0 shutout victory in Buffalo carried particular significance because it came without leading scorer Jordan Kyrou, who was benched as a healthy scratch. Montgomery’s bold decision sent shockwaves through the organization, but the team responded with perhaps its most complete performance of the season. Joel Hofer delivered 27 saves for the shutout, while the entire roster elevated its work ethic and attention to detail. Montgomery’s willingness to hold star players accountable has set a new tone in the locker room.

Kyrou returns to the lineup Saturday, skating alongside Robert Thomas and Brayden Schenn on what should be St. Louis’ top line. The 26-year-old forward acknowledged the message and vowed to work harder and lead by example. “I just need to work harder. Obviously I’ve got to be a little better,” Kyrou told reporters, according to The Hockey News. His response on the ice will be telling—will he come back motivated and energized, or will the benching linger in his mind?

The Blues’ recent success has come from improved defensive structure and timely goaltending rather than offensive explosions. That formula could serve them well against a Kraken team playing without its starting goaltender and dealing with its own offensive struggles. If St. Louis can maintain the disciplined, checking-oriented style that worked against Buffalo, they have a legitimate chance to win three consecutive games for the first time this season and climb closer to .500.

Hofer gets another opportunity in net

Joel Hofer earned the start after his shutout performance Thursday, marking the first time this season he’ll start consecutive games. Montgomery explained his reasoning clearly: “I’ve always thought that if a goalie has a shutout, he should start the next game unless you’re on a hard back-to-back with travel and less than 24 hours.” Hofer’s 27-save performance against Buffalo was vintage goaltending—calm, positionally sound, and confident when tested with quality chances.

The 24-year-old netminder has experienced a roller-coaster season, bouncing between strong performances and games where he was pulled after struggling. Montgomery praised Hofer’s mental makeup following the shutout, describing him as “incredibly competitive” with a “tough-minded” approach to adversity. “Adversity doesn’t set him back. It’s not woe is me. He works harder, he digs in,” the coach noted, highlighting qualities that separate good goaltenders from great ones.

Hofer’s recent struggles included being pulled from two starts, which could have shattered the confidence of a younger goaltender. Instead, he refocused on his preparation and process, trusting his technique rather than pressing for results. That patient, professional approach has paid dividends, and now he has an opportunity to establish himself as the Blues’ number one option over Jordan Binnington. A strong performance against Seattle would make three quality starts in his last four appearances and provide momentum heading into a lengthy homestand.

The matchup favors Hofer in some ways. Seattle’s offense has sputtered recently, managing just two goals in the San Jose loss despite numerous power play opportunities. If the Blues’ defense can maintain its improved structure and limit odd-man rushes, Hofer should face primarily perimeter shots and long-distance attempts that play to his strengths. The key will be handling any breakdowns calmly and not letting one bad goal snowball into multiple mistakes.

Broberg emerging as Blues’ most impactful player

One of the few bright spots during St. Louis’ struggles has been the play of defenseman Philip Broberg, who continues to justify the team’s decision to sign him to an offer sheet during the offseason. The former Edmonton prospect has blossomed in St. Louis, bringing speed, physicality, and confidence to a blue line that desperately needed an injection of youth and energy. Montgomery went so far as to call Broberg “our biggest impact player on our team right now at both ends of the ice.”

Broberg played a career-high 27:09 against Buffalo, showcasing his ability to handle heavy minutes in all situations. He recorded four blocked shots in that game and has become the Blues’ shutdown defenseman despite being just 23 years old. His skating ability allows him to recover when beaten and to join rushes offensively, creating odd-man opportunities that the Blues have lacked in recent seasons. He’s scored two wraparound goals this season, demonstrating his willingness to attack high-danger areas.

The Swedish defenseman’s impact extends beyond the stat sheet. Montgomery detailed how Broberg’s play initiated the sequence that led to St. Louis’ second goal against Buffalo, from killing a play at the blue line to retrieving a dump-in to starting the breakout that eventually resulted in a goal. These subtle but crucial plays happen multiple times per game, and Broberg’s ability to execute them consistently has stabilized the Blues’ defensive structure.

Against a Kraken team that will try to generate speed through the neutral zone, Broberg’s mobility will be tested. Seattle’s forwards like Beniers, Stephenson, and Kakko all possess the skating ability to attack in transition, but Broberg has the tools to match them stride-for-stride. If he can limit the Kraken’s odd-man rushes and contribute offensively as he has recently, the Blues will have an excellent chance to extend their winning streak to three games.

Key matchups and special teams battles

Beyond the individual storylines, this Seattle Kraken at St. Louis Blues game preview must examine the tactical battles that will determine the outcome. Seattle’s defensemen—particularly Vince Dunn against his former team—will face pressure to move pucks quickly and avoid turnovers in dangerous areas. Dunn played four seasons with St. Louis before being selected by Seattle in the expansion draft, and he’ll undoubtedly face extra attention from Blues forecheckers who know his tendencies.

The faceoff circle will be crucial, especially with both teams struggling offensively. Winning draws in the offensive zone can lead to extended possessions and power play-like situations even at even strength. The Blues have been particularly vulnerable after losing defensive zone faceoffs, leading to extended shifts and tired defenders trying to clear the zone. If Seattle’s centers can dominate this aspect, they’ll create numerous scoring chances.

Special teams could ultimately decide this contest. Both teams have power plays capable of scoring but inconsistent in execution. The Blues’ penalty kill has been leaky at times during their losing streak, while Seattle’s kill has been adequate without being dominant. The team that capitalizes on its power play opportunities—or that stays out of the penalty box entirely—will likely earn the two points.

Physical play should escalate as the game progresses, particularly if the score remains close. The Blues have emphasized harder play along the boards and in front of the net during their recent improvement, while Seattle needs to match that intensity to have success on the road. Players like Oleksiak, Kartye, and Schwartz for the Kraken must engage physically with Blues forwards like Schenn, Toropchenko, and Walker to create space for their skill players.

The game’s final 10 minutes will be fascinating if the score is tight. Both coaches have shown willingness to shorten their benches and rely on trusted veterans in crucial situations. Lambert’s line juggling suggests he’s still searching for the right combinations for late-game situations, while Montgomery appears more comfortable with his core group after the shakeup in Buffalo. Whichever team executes better in pressure moments will emerge victorious from what should be a tightly contested affair.

This cross-conference matchup between two teams searching for identity and consistency promises competitive hockey with playoff intensity despite the calendar showing early November. The Kraken need to prove they can win on the road without their starting goaltender, while the Blues must demonstrate their recent success wasn’t merely a brief respite before returning to their losing ways. Similar to when the Blues faced the Capitals earlier this season, both teams understand that every point matters in what could be a tight playoff race come spring. With meaningful lineup changes, motivated players responding to benchings, and coaches demanding better execution, Saturday’s contest should provide clarity about which direction these franchises are heading as the season’s first quarter concludes.