Daccord has undisputedly been Seattle’s top goalie for most of the past two seasons, but he finds himself in a stretch where he is being outplayed by his counterpart, Philipp Grubauer. The 29-year-old Daccord has allowed three or more goals in four straight games (2-2-0) while posting a .891 SV%. Seattle enters Monday’s contest as +113 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that is 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
Evans will take a seat on Thursday in order to make room for the return of Brandon Montour (hand). Evans has appeared in 31 games this season, logging three goals and seven assists.
Montour has not played in a month, but willreturn to the lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. The 31-year-old Montour is averaging 21:56 time-on-ice and has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 27 games this season.
The Kraken will hand Daccord his 28th start of the season when they travel to Boston on Thursday. Daccord took the loss in his last start, allowing three goals on 36 shots in a 3-2 loss in Carolina on Saturday. The 29-year-old Daccord, largely through no fault of his own, has been ceding playing time to Philipp Grubauer, who has been in spectacular form this season. Daccord brings a 12-10-5 record and .902 SV% into Thursday night's matchup, where the Kraken enter action at +145 on the money line.
Melanson has recorded four points (1G / 3A) in a career-high 15 games with Seattle this season, but will return to a familiar place in the AHL. The 22-year-old forward has 14 points (7G / 7A) in 23 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) this season.
Montour has not played in a month, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Boston Bruins. The 31-year-old Montour is averaging 21:56 time-on-ice and has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 27 games this season.
Melanson will take a seat on Wednesday in order to make way for Chandler Stephenson's (personal) return from a two-game absence. Melanson has one goal and three assists in 15 games this season.
The Kraken will understandably ride the hot-hand and stick with Grubauer between the pipes when they travel to New Jersey on Wednesday. Grubauer turned in another superb performance on Monday, turning away 20 of the 22 shots he faced in a 4-2 victory in New York. The 34-year-old netminder is in the best form of his Kraken career, posting a 9-3-2 record and a league-leading .924 SV% across 16 appearances. The Kraken enter action on Wednesday at +125 on the money line.
Stephenson was away from the team for their previous game, tending to the birth of his child, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday. The 31-year-old Stephenson is averaging 19:58 time-on-ice and has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 42 games this season.
Fisker-Molgaard was drafted 52nd overall by the Kraken in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring one assist in two games. The 20-year-old forward has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 30 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds (AHL) this season.
After four dreadful seasons with Seattle, posting a 3.07 GAA and .890 SV% in 156 games (57-78-12), Grubauer finally looks like the goalie that the team signed to a six-year, $35.4 million contract ($5.9M AAV) in 2021. The 34-year-old Grubauer has helped his team record at least a point in four straight outings (4-0-1), posting a tremendous 1.45 GAA and .960 SV%. He has a 2.27 GAA and .925 SV% through 15 appearances this season (8-3-2). The Kraken enter Monday's contest as +117 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team with a dreadful 5-11-4 record on home ice this season.
Eberle has been recovering from an upper-body injury and will return from a one-week absence, drawing into the lineup on Monday against the New York Rangers. The 35-year-old veteran forward was turning the clock back in recent weeks before his injury, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A) in his last 17 games.
After four dreadful seasons with Seattle, posting a 3.07 GAA and .890 SV% in 156 games (57-78-12), Grubauer finally looks like the goalie that the team signed to a six-year, $35.4 million contract ($5.9M AAV) in 2021. The 34-year-old Grubauer has helped his team record at least a point in four straight outings (4-0-1), posting a tremendous 1.45 GAA and .960 SV%. He has a 2.27 GAA and .925 SV% through 15 appearances this season (8-3-2). The Kraken enter Monday's contest as +117 road underdogs against a New York Rangers team with a dreadful 5-11-4 record on home ice this season.
Stephenson and his wife are reportedly expecting a baby, so Stephenson has been designated non-roster and will miss Saturday's game. Luckily for the Kraken, they'll get Jaden Schwartz back from a lengthy injury absence to replace Stephenson.
Schwartz has been out since November 26th but is expected to be back in the lineup Saturday in Carolina. Schwartz is expected to take Chandler Stephenson's spot in the lineup after Stephenson was designated non-roster.
The Kraken will be without one of their top offensive contributors in recent weeks, as Eberle was absent from the team's morning skate on Thursday. The 35-year-old veteran forward has turned back the clock lately, with 14 points (7G / 7A) in his last 17 games.
Tolvanen is battling an illness, but will play on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. The 26-year-old has zero points in his last four games, but is otherwise having a great season, with 25 points (7G / 18A) in 40 games.
After four dreadful seasons with Seattle, posting a 3.07 GAA and .890 SV% in 156 games (57-78-12), Grubauer finally looks like the goalie that the team signed to a six-year, $35.4 million contract ($5.9M AAV) in 2021. The 34-year-old Grubauer saved 41 of 42 shots (.976 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-1 win over the Calgary Flames. He has an excellent 2.21 GAA and .926 SV% in 14 games this season (8-3-1). The Kraken enter Thursday's contest as +133 home underdogs against a Minnesota Wild team that has lost five of its last eight games (3-2-3).
