Seattle Kraken and St. Louis Blues: Ice Rivals Clash at Climate Pledge Arena
As the Seattle Kraken prepare to host the St. Louis Blues at Climate Pledge Arena, fans are buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an electrifying match-up on October 8th. With both teams gearing up for this early-season face-off, let's dive into what the Kraken's performance last season might tell us about their chances in this upcoming game.
Analyzing Last Season's Performance
The Seattle Kraken had a challenging season last year, finishing with 34 wins and 35 losses. Their overall goal differential stood at -109, highlighting some defensive vulnerabilities that they've hopefully addressed in the off-season. On offense, they managed to net 214 goals from a whopping 2347 shots, translating to a shooting percentage of 9 percent. This indicates that while they weren't short on attempts, finding the back of the net was often a struggle.
Their power play showed promise with a conversion rate of approximately 21 percent from all opportunities but will need to be more consistent against teams like the Blues who can capitalize on any weakness. The penalty kill was successful around 79 percent of the time; however, improving their faceoff win percentage from last season’s average of 48 percent could give them better control during both power plays and penalty kills.
Looking Ahead: Strategies and Expectations
For the upcoming game against St. Louis Blues, focusing on improving shot quality and capitalizing on power play opportunities will be key for the Kraken. Enhancing their defensive strategies to reduce their goals against average could also turn previous close losses into wins this season.
Playing at home offers an advantage for Seattle as Climate Pledge Arena has become known for its loud and supportive crowd atmosphere which can undoubtedly energize players and potentially intimidate visiting teams.
Fans should expect an intense match where both teams will look to establish early dominance in the season standings. With strategic adjustments based on last year’s analytics and leveraging home ice advantage, Seattle has a solid chance of making this game one for the history books.
Catch all action live or stream it online as ESPN and ESPN+ broadcast what is sure to be an unforgettable clash between these two rivals starting at 4:30 PM ET on October 8th at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle.