On Sunday, Dec. 28, the Seattle Kraken will host the Philadelphia Flyers for their first game back from the break. The Kraken ended the break on a high note, winning their last three straight games on the California road trip. Their last game was on Dec. 23, when they beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. Hopefully, the four-day break will help them instead of hurt them as they look to increase their win streak to four games.
Related: Dear Santa: Seattle Kraken’s 2025-26 Wish List
The Flyers are on a two-game win streak of their own. They just beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 on Dec. 23, ahead of the Christmas break.
The first game in the season series did not go as the Kraken planned. They lost 5-2 after a strong display from Philadelphia. With the series on the line here, the Kraken will try to even it up to ensure the Flyers don’t sweep.
Kraken Gameday Preview
At practice on Saturday, Jared McCann was seen on the ice in a regular jersey. He was taking part in line rushes on the third line, alternating with Ryan Winterton on the right wing. With McCann being a strong participant in practice, it seems likely we could see his return to the ice soon.
Vince Dunn was also a participant in Saturday’s practice, which is a good indication that his injury is not that serious. He was injured on Dec. 22 against the Anaheim Ducks. He did not play in the game the next day against the Los Angeles Kings, so many assumed the worst. With both McCann and Dunn on the ice, and Berkly Catton’s recent return, we are slowly getting closer to a healthy Kraken team.
The player to watch in this game is Berkly Catton. The young rookie made his debut earlier this season against the Flyers, where he also recorded his first assist. He just came back from injured reserve on Dec. 23 after missing eight games. Facing the team he debuted against while just getting healthy again, this game seems like the perfect storm for Catton to make an impact with the team.
Team Stats
Seattle Kraken
Season Record: 15-14-6
Top Scorers:
- Jordan Eberle – 13 goals (G), 10 assists (A), 23 points (P)
- Chandler Stephenson – 9 G, 13 A, 22 P
- Eeli Tolvanen – 5 G, 17 A, 22 P
- Matty Beniers – 4 G, 16 A, 20 P
- Vince Dunn – 5 G, 14 A, 19 P
Goalie Stats:
- Joey Daccord – 10-9-4, 2.82 goals-against average (GAA), .904 save percentage (SV%)
- Philipp Grubauer – 5-3-1, 2.59 GAA, .911 SV%
- Matt Murray – 0-2-1, 2.21 GAA, .922 SV%
Philadelphia Flyers
Season Record: 19-10-7
Top Scorers:
- Trevor Zegras – 15 G, 22 A, 37 P
- Travis Konecny – 11 G, 22 A, 33 P
- Christian Dvorak – 8 G, 16 A, 24 P
- Owen Tippett – 11 G, 11 A, 22 P
- Sean Couturier – 5 G, 16 A, 21 P
Goalie Stats:
- Dan Vladar – 13-5-3, 2.39 GAA, .910 SV%
- Samuel Ersson – 6-4-4, 2.96 GAA, .872 SV%
- Aleksei Kolosov – 0-1-0, 1.62 GAA, .929 SV%
Projected Lineups
(Subject to change before puck drop)
As per The Hockey Writers’ projected lineup article.
Seattle Kraken
Kaapo Kakko — Matty Beniers — Jordan Eberle
Eeli Tolvanen — Chandler Stephenson — Frederick Gaudreau
Berkly Catton — Shane Wright — Jared McCann
Tye Kartye — Ben Meyers — Jacob Melanson
Vince Dunn — Adam Larsson
Ryan Lindgren — Cale Fleury
Ryker Evans — Jamie Oleksiak
Joey Daccord
Philipp Grubauer
Scratched: Jani Nyman, Josh Mahura, Ryan Winterton
Injured: Jaden Schwartz, Brandon Montour, Matt Murray, Max McCormick
Philadelphia Flyers
Trevor Zegras — Christian Dvorak — Travis Konecny
Denver Barkey — Sean Couturier — Owen Tippett
Matvei Michkov — Noah Cates — Bobby Brink
Carl Grundstrom — Rodrigo Abols — Nikita Grebenkin
Cam York — Travis Sanheim
Nick Seeler — Rasmus Ristolainen
Emil Andrae — Jamie Drysdale
Scratched: Garnet Hathaway, Noah Juulsen, Nicolas Deslauriers
Injured: Tyson Forester
Next up for the Kraken
The Kraken will play the second half of a back-to-back on Monday, Dec. 29, when they host the Vancouver Canucks.
