Penguins Face Kraken In High-Stakes Clash At Seattle

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to open a crucial four-game western road trip as they face off against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Monday, January 19, 2026. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m. Eastern Time (2 p.m. local in Seattle), with fans able to catch the action on SportsNet Pittsburgh, KONG, or stream via ESPN+ and Fubo. Radio coverage will be available on 105.9 The X and the Penguins app, ensuring supporters on both coasts won’t miss a moment of this compelling matchup.

Both teams enter this contest with plenty on the line. The Penguins, boasting a 22-14-11 record and holding third place in the Metropolitan Division, are two points behind the New York Islanders for second, though they have a game in hand and the tiebreaker advantage. Meanwhile, the Kraken (21-17-9) return home after a challenging eastern swing, sitting third in the Pacific Division and tied with three other teams at 51 points. With the playoff race intensifying, every point is at a premium.

Pittsburgh is looking to snap a four-game losing skid against Seattle (0-3-1) and improve upon a lackluster all-time record of just two wins in nine matchups (2-5-2). The last meeting between these clubs saw the Kraken edge out the Penguins 3-2 in overtime on November 22, 2025, with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin finding the net for Pittsburgh. Despite this recent run of poor results against Seattle, the Penguins have been formidable on the road, winning three of their last four away games (3-1-0) and posting a 7-2-2 record since Christmas, thanks in large part to a stingy defense that has allowed just 23 goals over the last 11 contests—a sparkling 2.09 goals-against average during that stretch.

The Penguins’ most recent outing was a heartbreaker: a shootout loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on January 17, marking their seventh defeat in eight shootouts this season. Goalie Arturs Silovs, who is 1-6 in shootouts, stood tall during regulation and overtime, but Pittsburgh’s shooters struggled to convert. Connor Clifton notched his first goal of the season, while Rickard Rakell added a slick redirect in the second period. Egor Chinakhov, a recent acquisition from Columbus, was the only Penguin to score in the shootout and has tallied four points (three goals, one assist) in eight games since joining the squad.

Coach Dan Muse has responded to the recent shootout woes and defensive lapses by making tweaks to his lineup. At Sunday’s practice, Ryan Graves replaced Jack St. Ivany on the third defensive pairing alongside Connor Clifton, signaling a subtle but potentially impactful change. The expected defensive pairings are Brett Kulak with Kris Letang, Parker Wotherspoon with Ryan Shea, and Graves with Clifton. In net, Stuart Skinner is projected to start, bringing a 2.72 goals-against average and 674 saves in 31 games this season. The Penguins will be without Erik Karlsson (undisclosed injury), Filip Hallander (leg), and Tanner Howe (ACL), though Karlsson has traveled with the team and participated in practice in a non-contact jersey—encouraging signs for his eventual return.

Special teams could prove decisive in this matchup. The Penguins boast the NHL’s second-ranked power play, operating at 28.7%, and have killed off their last 18 penalties across five games, ranking fifth on the penalty kill at 83.5%. Seattle, by contrast, has struggled mightily when shorthanded, ranking dead last with a 71.2% penalty kill rate. The Kraken’s power play sits at a respectable ninth (23.1%), but their overall offense has been underwhelming, ranking 25th in the league with an average of 2.74 goals per game.

Seattle returns home after a tough 1-3-1 road trip, but their recent form at Climate Pledge Arena has been solid, with a 3-0-2 mark in their last five home games. The Kraken’s last outing was a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Utah Mammoth, in which Matty Beniers, Chandler Stephenson, and Jordan Eberle provided the offense, but the visitors pulled away with three third-period goals. Goalie Philipp Grubauer is expected to start, having stopped 24 of 29 shots in that loss. Matt Murray remains on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, while Joey Daccord has been a steady presence in net when called upon, posting a .900 save percentage in 32nd place among NHL goalies.

Jared McCann, the Kraken’s all-time leading scorer, has been a bright spot since returning from injury after the winter break. In 12 games since December 28, he’s notched five goals and six assists, providing a much-needed spark to a lineup that leans heavily on its young talent. Coach Lane Lambert has shuffled his forward lines in search of more offense, deploying McCann alongside Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle, while other promising youngsters like Berkly Catton and Shane Wright continue to develop. Catton, who just turned 20, is embarking on his rookie campaign, while Wright, 22, is still working to fulfill his high draft expectations. Kaapo Kakko, another former second overall pick, has settled into a reliable role, though perhaps not the star many projected.

For the Penguins, the spotlight shines brightest on Sidney Crosby, who will skate in his 1,400th regular season NHL game Monday—a remarkable milestone, making him the 45th player in league history to reach that mark. Crosby’s production remains elite at age 38, with 26 goals and 27 assists for 53 points in 49 games, including 10 power play goals. He’s averaging 20 minutes per game, still driving Pittsburgh’s offense and leadership. According to ESPN, "Sidney Crosby is scoring at more than a point per game, and he already has notched 10 man-advantage goals for a Pittsburgh power play that ranks third in the NHL."

Evgeni Malkin, recently back from injury, has chipped in six points (two goals, four assists) in his last six games, giving the Penguins the kind of secondary scoring they’ll need against a defensively stubborn Seattle squad. Kris Letang, too, has been productive against the Kraken, with seven assists and a plus-2 rating in nine career games.

This showdown is not just about star power, though. It’s a test of depth, defensive discipline, and special teams execution. The Penguins’ penalty killing prowess and potent power play give them an edge on paper, but the Kraken’s resilience at home and hunger to solidify their playoff position make them a dangerous opponent. With both teams missing key players and fighting for crucial points, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

As the Penguins embark on this pivotal road swing—facing Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver after Seattle—they’ll be eager to set the tone with a strong performance. For the Kraken, the start of a six-game homestand against postseason contenders offers a chance to reset and surge up the standings. With Crosby’s milestone, special teams battles, and playoff implications hanging in the balance, hockey fans are in for a treat at Climate Pledge Arena. The action is set, and the storylines are ripe—now, it’s just a matter of who seizes the opportunity on the ice.