The Montreal Canadiens will clash with the Seattle Kraken on March 12, 2025, as both teams seek to improve their standings.
The Canadiens, with a record of 31-27-6, are coming off a much-needed 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. The Habs' top line continued to shine, with Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield leading the offense, and Juraj Slafkovsky showing promising improvements. This trio was instrumental against the Canucks, controlling play and producing results, which the Canadiens will need to replicate against the Kraken.
Jakub Dobes is set to start as the Canadiens' goaltender, replacing Samuel Montembeault, who has been solid but is currently sidelined. Dobes, with impressive stats this season, will look to secure his seventh win, but the emphasis will be on more than just the performance of the first line. Coach Martin St. Louis is aware the Canadiens need additional offensive support to maintain playoff hopes. “We can’t just rely on one line,” he commented, hinting at the need for more depth scoring.
On the flip side, the Kraken, sporting a record of 27-34-4, are aiming to turn their fortunes around after trading four players before last week's NHL Trade Deadline. The team witnessed significant changes, with Yanni Gourde, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Brandon Tanev, and Daniel Sprong departing, leading to mixed reactions among the players. Coach Dan Bylsma acknowledged the introspection caused by the trades, stating, “We’re not where we want to be or where we think we should be.” This could hint at renewed motivation within the squad.
A bright spot for the Kraken is Jani Nyman, who is set to make his NHL debut. The 20-year-old winger from Finland, who has had success at lower levels, will be lining up alongside Shane Wright and Jared McCann. Bylsma expressed hope for Nyman's impact, citing his shot as a notable aspect of his game, but he also emphasized the importance of maintaining movement and avoiding stagnation.
Interestingly, this matchup is the second and final meeting of the season for the two teams. The Kraken convincingly defeated the Canadiens 8-2 during their previous encounter on October 29, 2024. That game was particularly frustrating for Montreal, as they reportedly held the edge on high-danger scoring chances yet failed to convert.
Montreal's projected lineup tonight sees the return of Patrik Laine, who missed two games due to the flu. Laine’s presence will likely replace Michael Pezzetta, who is set to sit out tonight’s contest. Laine’s season has been quite the rollercoaster; after initially missing several months due to injury, he has rebounded to score 14 goals and 24 points across 34 games, contributing significantly to the Canadiens' offense.
With both teams facing challenges and opportunities, the March 12 contest at Climate Pledge Arena promises to be intense. Game time is set for 10:30 PM ET, and Canadian viewers can catch the action on TSN2 and RDS.
Reflecting on the upcoming game, fans can expect to witness two teams striving for improvement. While the Canadiens seek playoff position, the Kraken look to build on newfound momentum from recent changes. Will the Habs continue their scoring trend or will Nyman’s debut be the spark needed for the Kraken?