Kraken look to mix and match with Islanders ahead
The Islanders and Kraken are set to face off at 4:00 ET on ESPN+. The Kraken will host the game at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA. The odds for this non-conference game currently have the Kraken as the -1.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 5.5 goals.
New York vs. Seattle Key Information
- Teams: Islanders at Kraken
- Where: Climate Pledge Arena Seattle
- Date: Saturday, November 16th
- Betting Odds SEA -114 | NYI -105 O/U 5.5
The Islanders Can Win If…
Following a 5-2 loss to the Rangers, the Islanders now sit at 7-6-4 for the season. The Islanders’ defense struggled, allowing the Rangers to score first at 16:16 in the opening period.
The total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the teams combined for 7. As underdogs on the puck line, the Islanders failed to cover. They didn’t get on the board until Casey Cizikas scored at 15:22 in the second period.
The Islanders fired 37 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Casey Cizikas scored his first goal of the season, while Brock Nelson added his fifth, with Nelson’s goal coming just 8 seconds before the second period ended.
New York recorded 23 giveaways and failed to convert on any power play opportunities. Pierre Engvall picked up his first assist of the season, while Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri, and Anders Lee also contributed assists.
Defensively, the Islanders gave up the first goal just 3:44 into the game and allowed two more in the 3rd period, including an empty-netter at 3:23. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with a save percentage of 89.7%.
- Through their last three regular season contests, New York has a record of 1-2. Across this span, their puck line record sits at 3-0 to go along with an over-under mark of 3-0.
- Through their last ten regular season contests, New York has a record of 4-6. In these matchups, they ended with an puck line record of 5-5 and an over-under mark of 7-2-1.
The Kraken Can Win If…
With a 2-0 loss to the Bruins, the Kraken dropped to 8-8-1 this season. Seattle’s defense struggled early, allowing both goals in the first period, with the first coming just 3:23 into the game.
The total was set at 6 goals, but the combined 2 fell well short. Seattle, as the underdog on the puck line, failed to cover. Offensively, they managed 23 shots on goal but couldn’t find the net.
Seattle’s offense was held scoreless in their 2-0 loss to Boston, despite firing 23 shots on goal. The Kraken struggled with giveaways, committing 19 in the game.
After a 2-0 first period, Seattle couldn’t find the net in the second or third periods. No Kraken player scored in the game.
Seattle’s defense gave up two early goals to Boston, with the first coming just 3:23 into the game and the second at 10:03 in the first period. However, they settled in after that, not allowing another goal. Goalie Joey Daccord made 31 saves with a 93.9% save percentage, and the defense added 4 takeaways and 18 hits.
- Over their last three games, the Kraken have gone 3-0 straight up. In these games, they have a 3-0 record vs the puck line and an over-under mark of 2-1.
- Through their last ten regular season contests, Seattle has a record of 4-6. This includes going 5-5 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 5-5.
The Lean
If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Kraken to take down the Islanders at home. With the moneyline currently at -114, I’m placing my bet on the Kraken straight-up.
When it comes to my suggested pick for the puck line, I’d advise taking the Islanders to cover. Even in the event of a Kraken victory, this matchup is likely to remain closely contested, and the Islanders should cover the puck line.
When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 5.5 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.
Kraken Face Key Lineup Challenges Ahead of Islanders Matchup
The Seattle Kraken are preparing for a crucial pair of home games against the New York Islanders and New York Rangers this weekend. As the team navigates injuries and player integrations, they’re looking to maintain momentum after a strong start to their six-game homestand.
Eberle’s Injury a Significant Blow
Captain Jordan Eberle, a cornerstone of the Kraken’s offense and leadership, will miss at least Saturday’s game against the Islanders and Sunday’s contest against the Rangers. Eberle suffered a lower-body injury early in the second period of Thursday’s 3-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The injury occurred when he slid awkwardly into the boards following a collision with defenseman Connor Murphy.
Although Eberle managed to skate off under his own power, his condition will require further evaluation early next week. “We were moving pretty well before (Eberle) got hurt,” said forward Matty Beniers, who scored the opening goal of the game. “There was a little bit of a step back, obviously, after your captain goes down, but I think it was a great response and needed at that time.”
Daniel Sprong: A Potential Boost
The Kraken could see the return of forward Daniel Sprong, who was reacquired in a recent trade with Vancouver. Sprong, instrumental in Seattle’s playoff run last season with 21 goals, has cleared immigration hurdles and is expected to join the team soon.
However, Sprong hasn’t played since November 7, and coach Dan Bylsma has hinted that the team might rely on reinforcements from their AHL affiliate in Coachella Valley instead. The flexibility in their roster strategy will be key to maintaining their competitive edge during Eberle’s absence.
A Resilient Performance
Despite losing their captain mid-game, the Kraken continued their strong showing against the Blackhawks. Matty Beniers’ goal, coupled with a milestone achievement for Jaden Schwartz—his 200th career NHL goal—helped seal the victory.
“It’s a cool milestone,” Schwartz said post-game. “You don’t think about it day-to-day, but it’s fun to chip in and help the team.” Schwartz emphasized the importance of grinding out wins in an 82-game season, especially given the tight standings in the Western Conference.
Islanders on a Hot Streak
The Islanders, fresh off a commanding 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, bring significant momentum to the matchup. Contributions from Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Scott Mayfield, Pierre Engvall, Anders Lee, and Noah Dobson highlighted their balanced scoring attack.
Goaltender Semyon Varlamov stopped 25 shots, extending the Islanders’ point streak to five games (3-0-2). “It was a huge team effort,” said Islanders coach Patrick Roy. “It’s hard for me to single out anybody because everybody played real solid.”
Islanders forward Bo Horvat, who tallied two assists in his return to Vancouver, emphasized the team’s confidence. “To finally get rewarded for playing the right way, it definitely feels nice. We knew if we kept at it, we’d eventually see the results.”
What’s at Stake
Saturday’s matchup will test both teams:
- For the Kraken: Maintaining their perfect 3-0-0 record on the homestand will require contributions from all lines and seamless integration of new players like Sprong.
- For the Islanders: Their strong team chemistry and scoring depth make them a formidable opponent, but maintaining their streak on the road will be critical.
Conclusion
As the Kraken and Islanders collide, the storyline is one of resilience and opportunity. The Kraken’s ability to adapt to roster changes and the Islanders’ bid to extend their unbeaten streak add layers of intrigue to this weekend’s games.
With Seattle fighting to capitalize on home ice and New York aiming to sustain their upward trajectory, fans can expect high-stakes hockey and dynamic play from both sides.
Key Notes for Fans
- Seattle Kraken: Watch for how Daniel Sprong fits into the lineup and how the team compensates for Eberle’s absence.
- New York Islanders: Look for contributions from across their roster, especially from key players like Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Bo Horvat.