New York Rangers vs Seattle Kraken Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Rangers Eye Momentum Shift Against Kraken

The New York Rangers (13-10-2) look to turn the page after a challenging stretch of losses as they host the Seattle Kraken (12-11-4) in a Sunday matinee at Madison Square Garden. Fresh off a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday, the Rangers hope the trade of former captain Jacob Trouba sparks a new chapter in their season.

Rangers Find Encouragement After Trouba Trade

Friday’s victory came on the heels of a major roster shakeup, with the Rangers trading Jacob Trouba to Anaheim in exchange for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a conditional 2025 fourth-round draft pick.

Head coach Peter Laviolette believes the move represents a turning point for the team.

“It’s a starting point,” Laviolette said. “If you’re going to start something in a different direction, you’d like to get out with a win … and I think we accomplished that.”

Key Players for New York

• Vincent Trocheck: Trocheck stepped up with a goal and two assists against Pittsburgh, providing leadership and energy when the team needed it most.
• Artemi Panarin: Panarin delivered two goals and an assist, showcasing his ability to drive the offense when it counts.
• Igor Shesterkin: The goaltender made 20 saves Friday and will be critical against Seattle’s opportunistic attack.

The Rangers will need to channel the passion and emotion from Friday’s game as they aim to string together consecutive wins for the first time since mid-November.

Kraken Seek to Close Road Trip Strong

Seattle enters Sunday’s game looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Friday. The Kraken had started their four-game road trip with impressive wins over Carolina and the New York Islanders but stumbled in a tightly contested game against the Devils.

Goaltender Philipp Grubauer was solid with 33 saves, but a third-period goal by Timo Meier sealed the victory for New Jersey after a chaotic sequence in the crease.

“The disappointing story is we don’t get enough run support for him,” Kraken coach Dan Bylsma said.

Key Players for Seattle

• Philipp Grubauer: Grubauer has shown steady improvement, keeping the Kraken competitive in tough matchups.
• Andre Burakovsky: Returning to the lineup after being benched for two games, Burakovsky made a statement with a highlight-reel goal against New Jersey.
• Vince Dunn: Despite an unfortunate defensive miscue, Dunn remains a key contributor on both ends of the ice.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Rangers’ Offensive Stars vs. Kraken Defense: Panarin, Trocheck, and Chris Kreider will look to exploit any gaps in Seattle’s defensive zone coverage.
• Grubauer vs. Shesterkin: The battle between the pipes could determine the outcome, as both goaltenders aim to backstop their teams to victory.

What’s at Stake?

For the Rangers, Sunday’s game represents a chance to solidify their “new direction” and build the consistency needed to climb the standings.

For the Kraken, a win would mean a strong finish to their road trip and continued momentum in the Western Conference playoff race.

With both teams eager to prove themselves, fans can expect an intense and tightly contested battle at Madison Square Garden.