NHL Game Preview: Seattle Kraken (30-36-5) vs. Calgary Flames (33-25-11)

March 25, 2025

The upcoming NHL matchup between the Seattle Kraken and the Calgary Flames is set to be an exciting Pacific Division showdown.

Season Performance: The Kraken are currently out of playoff contention, sitting 16 points behind the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. They are wrapping up a four-game road trip and are looking to snap a two-game losing streak. Seattle has struggled with consistency, posting a 5-5-1 record in March.
Strengths: Seattle’s offense has been productive, averaging 3.5 goals per game in March. Their power play has shown improvement, converting on 2-of-3 opportunities in their recent loss to Edmonton.
Key Players:
- Eeli Tolvanen: Leads the team with 21 goals and 12 assists this season.
- Jared McCann: A consistent contributor with 19 goals and 25 assists.
- Kaapo Kakko: Scored two goals in their recent game against Edmonton, showcasing his offensive potential.
Goaltending: Joey Daccord has been the primary starter recently, with a 23-19-4 record, a 2.70 goals-against average, and a .908 save percentage. Philipp Grubauer has struggled, with a 7-16-1 record and a 3.59 goals-against average.

Season Performance: The Flames are still in the playoff hunt, sitting four points behind the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. They are riding a three-game winning streak, including a 4-3 overtime victory against the New York Islanders in their last outing. Calgary has been strong against Pacific Division opponents, with a 10-4-3 record.
Strengths: Calgary’s defense has been solid, allowing 2.91 goals per game. Their offense has also picked up recently, scoring nine goals over their last two games.
Key Players:
- Matthew Coronato: Scored two goals in their win over the Islanders, bringing his season total to 18 goals.
- Jonathan Huberdeau: A playmaker with 15 goals and 42 assists this season.
- Nazem Kadri: A consistent offensive presence with 20 goals and 30 assists.
Goaltending: Dustin Wolf has been reliable, with a 23-14-5 record, a 2.63 goals-against average, and a .911 save percentage. Dan Vladar has also contributed, with a 10-11-6 record and a 2.90 goals-against average.

Season Series: This will be the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season. Seattle leads the series 2-1, with both wins coming in overtime (2-1 and 3-2). Calgary won the second matchup 3-2.
Recent Form:
- Kraken: Averaging 3.5 goals per game while allowing 3.4 in March.
- Flames: Averaging 3.3 goals per game while allowing 3.3 in March.

Seattle’s Offense vs. Calgary’s Defense: The Kraken’s top scorers, including Tolvanen and McCann, will look to break through Calgary’s disciplined defensive structure and goaltending.
Special Teams: Calgary’s penalty kill will need to step up against Seattle’s improving power play, which has been effective in recent games.
Goaltending Battle: Wolf’s consistency gives Calgary an edge in net, while Daccord will need to deliver a strong performance for Seattle to stay competitive.