Opinion
3 min read

Kraken to Navigate Through Islanders' Waters in Upcoming Belmont Park Showdown

The Seattle Kraken are gearing up for an exciting face-off against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena, promising fans an event filled with strategic plays and intense competition. With recent performances in mind, this game is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for both teams as they strive to secure their positions within the league.


Nov 16, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) plays the puck while defended by Seattle Kraken center Chandler Stephenson (9) during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Analyzing Recent Performances


The Kraken's recent games have shown a mix of resilience and areas needing improvement. In their last match against the San Jose Sharks, despite a loss with 5 points scored against them, the team demonstrated strong offensive capabilities by netting 5 goals. This performance was supported by a commendable power play strategy that saw them capitalize on 2 out of 6 opportunities. However, their defense showed vulnerabilities, particularly in even-strength situations where they conceded most goals.


Conversely, when looking at their game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center, the Kraken displayed significant defensive strengths. They managed to limit their opponents to just 2 points while scoring 3 themselves. The goaltending was particularly impressive with a save percentage standing firm at 100 percent across all strength types—power play, shorthanded, and even strength.


Nov 16, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) passes the puck while defended by Seattle Kraken right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (22) during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Strategic Insights


One key area for Seattle will be capitalizing on power play opportunities while tightening up their defense during even-strength play. Their ability to score during power plays but struggle in open play suggests that focusing on creating more balanced scoring opportunities could be beneficial.


For the Islanders' part, understanding and countering this aspect will be crucial. The Islanders need to maintain discipline and avoid penalties that could give Seattle those much-needed power play chances. Moreover, exploiting any defensive gaps during even-strength scenarios could tilt the game in favor of NYI.


Nov 16, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau (44) plays the puck while defended by Seattle Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (24) and defenseman Will Borgen (3) during the second period at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Looking Ahead


As we approach this thrilling encounter scheduled for December 5th at UBS Arena at 7:30 PM EDT, fans can catch all action live on ESPN+ or Hulu. This match promises not only an exhibition of skill from both teams but also strategic gameplay that could very well dictate the pace for upcoming games.


Seattle Kraken supporters should feel cautiously optimistic about their team's chances if they can leverage their special teams effectively while finding more consistency during regular playtime phases.


Don't forget to share your thoughts and predictions about this upcoming clash between these two formidable opponents!

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