NHL Game Preview: Seattle Kraken (9-7-1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (15-3-2)

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Carolina Hurricanes logo

Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET (8:00 p.m. local)
Venue: Veikkaus Arena, Helsinki, Finland
TV: NHL Network, HHN/Prime Video, CARNHL, KONG, KING, SN1

This is the second and final game of the NHL Global Series in Helsinki. The Hurricanes defeated the Kraken 4-1 on Thursday (Nov. 12) at the same venue, with Sebastian Aho scoring twice in front of the home crowd. Carolina leads the season series 1-0.

Team Forms and Standings Snapshot

Hurricanes (15-3-2): First in the Metropolitan Division and among the NHL’s elite. They have won three straight and seven of their last eight. They lead the league in goals per game (~4.10) and rank near the top in goals against (~2.25). Special teams are strong (PP ~22.7%, PK ~85.5%). Last 10: 8-1-1.

Kraken (9-7-1): Fourth in the Pacific. Inconsistent, with a 4-5-1 mark in their last 10 and losses in three of four. They average 3.29 goals for but allow 3.59 (near the bottom of the league). Penalty kill has been a major weakness (~65.2%).

Carolina dominated the first Global Series game, outshooting Seattle 30-13. The Kraken managed just one shot in the third period.

Injury Reports

Seattle Kraken:

Jared McCann (LW, lower body) — IR, expected return ~Jan. 2

Jacob Melanson (RW, chest/upper body) — IR (game-time decision possible)

Ryan Lindgren (D, upper body) — IR (game-time decision possible)

Curtis Douglas (C, upper body) — IR

Jake O’Brien (C, lower body) — IR/non-roster

Nikke Kokko (G, non-injury related) — IR-NR

Carolina Hurricanes:

Jordan Staal (C, calf) — IR; reports indicate he could return for this game.

Projected Lineups

Kraken:

Forwards: McMann – Beniers – Eberle; Kakko – Catton – Samoskevich; Gaudreau – Stephenson – Firkus (possible NHL debut); Wood – Meyers – Winterton

Defense: Dunn – Larsson; Evans – Montour; Mahura – Ottavainen

Goalies: Joey Daccord (projected) / Philipp Grubauer nhl.com

Hurricanes (Staal potentially back):

Forwards: Carrier – Aho – Svechnikov; Ehlers – Stankoven – Blake; Jarvis – Staal – Martinook; Hall – Jankowski – Kotkaniemi

Defense: Slavin – Chatfield; Miller – Walker; Gostisbehere – Nikishin

Goalies: Pyotr Kochetkov (projected) / Brandon Bussi

Jagger Firkus (Kraken 2022 second-rounder) is a candidate for his NHL debut after limited ice time for Jani Nyman in the first game.

Key Player Matchups

Sebastian Aho vs. Matty Beniers / Kraken top line: Aho (hot with multi-point games recently, including two goals Thursday) against Seattle’s young center Beniers and supporting wingers. Aho’s playmaking and finishing will test Seattle’s defensive structure.

Logan Stankoven / Jackson Blake / Nikolaj Ehlers line vs. Kraken defense (Dunn-Larsson / Montour): Carolina’s high-octane second line has strong chemistry and point streaks. They will pressure Seattle’s mobile but sometimes leaky blue line.

Andrei Svechnikov vs. Adam Larsson / Vince Dunn: Svechnikov’s physical, net-front game against Seattle’s top defensive pair.

Goaltending: Kochetkov (strong season numbers, ~.920 SV% in limited recent sample) or Bussi vs. Daccord/Grubauer. Seattle’s netminders have been inconsistent; Carolina generates high-quality chances.

Special teams edge heavily favors Carolina, especially against Seattle’s poor PK.

Series History

Carolina leads the 2026-27 season series 1-0 after the 4-1 win on Nov. 12 (Aho 2G, Ehlers G+A, Välimäki G; Gaudreau scored Seattle’s lone goal). Historical head-to-head is limited given the Kraken’s expansion timeline, but Carolina has generally held the upper hand in recent years as a more established contender (and defending Stanley Cup champions in this context).

Betting Trends

Carolina has been dominant as a heavy favorite and covers spreads frequently in strong form. The first game went under 6.5 (5 total goals) despite Carolina’s offensive output, partly due to low shot volume from Seattle. Hurricanes have been excellent at limiting opponents lately; Kraken games have been higher-scoring overall but they struggle to generate against elite defenses.

Carolina’s superior depth, structure, offense, and special teams should prevail again. Expect them to control play and generate more chances, though Seattle should improve on Thursday’s limited output and avoid another near-shutout. Aho, the Stankoven line, and strong goaltending for the Hurricanes are key factors. The Kraken need better 5-on-5 execution and PK improvement to stay competitive.

Game Odds

Seattle Kraken                  6.5

Carolina Hurricanes        – 387

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 13, 2026

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