The Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Seattle Kraken on March 22, 2025, at Rogers Place at 10 p.m. ET, with both teams navigating injury-ridden lineups as they strive for a crucial victory.
The Oilers will be without their star players, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who have been ruled out for at least a week due to injuries. McDavid suffered a lower body injury in a prior match against the Winnipeg Jets, while Draisaitl was injured in a blowout victory against the Utah Hockey Club. Head Coach Kris Knoblauch confirmed that with the absence of such pivotal players, the team's structure will see significant shifts.
This is not an easy situation for the Oilers, as they have been relying on forwards like Zach Hyman to carry the offensive burden. Hyman has scored three goals in his last two games and is tied for 10th-most in the NHL since December with 22 goals in total. He has displayed a strong performance, boasting at least three shots on net in five of his last seven games, making him a centerpiece of Edmonton's strategy moving forward. He finds himself in the spotlight, especially when the team lacks two of its most prolific scorers.
On the other side, the Kraken will also have a reshuffled lineup due to injuries. Chandler Stephenson will miss the game after sustaining an injury in a recent match too. To combat this setback, Jaden Schwartz will play in his 800th game and is moving up the lineup to fill the center position left vacant by Stephenson's absence. Other adjustments include Eeli Tolvanen, Jared McCann, and Andre Burakovsky being critical in bolstering the Kraken’s offensive efforts against a reshuffled Oilers defense.
As the Oilers have been enduring a modest three-game win streak, the confidence in the locker room is palpable. However, their recent performance painted a conflicting picture when they suffered a loss to the Jets despite showcasing strong moments. This defeat comes after previously scoring goals at optimal moments, and the pressure mounts for the Oilers to maintain their standing amid critical injuries.
From a tactical standpoint, both teams are struggling against the opposition's defense while trying to find form, particularly in light of their recent point total averages. As they prepare to face off, Edmonton ranks eighth in the league for goals per game, although they have yet to find their rhythm without McDavid and Draisaitl. Conversely, the Kraken are ranked 23rd in goals against, indicating potential weaknesses in their defensive capabilities that the Oilers may be keen to exploit.
The odds for the matchup showcase a familiar theme with the Oilers leading the way at -155 on the moneyline, while the Kraken sit at +139. The spread sees the Oilers on a +1.5 with -185 odds, giving them a slight edge over the Kraken, who are at -1.5 with +165 odds. On the total points, sportsbooks have the Over/Under set at six goals, which aligns with the expectation of how the match-up could perform offensively.
Goalkeeping may indeed determine the outcome of this game, with Stuart Skinner cleared to return for the Oilers after being pulled from a prior game due to concussion protocol. Skinner has been a consistent performer for Edmonton, posting a .896 save percentage with 23 wins and two shutouts this season. Still, he must rise to the occasion in light of the significant pressure imposed by both absence of key players and the Kraken’s hunger for victory.
On the other end, the Kraken will likely rely on Joey Daccord. Daccord’s struggles have been evident, as he has allowed more than three goals in seven of his last eight starts, coupled with a .865 save percentage since late February. His ability to contain Edmonton's offense will be pivotal; a solid performance could bolster the Kraken’s aspirations of capturing valuable points as the regular season winds down.
Fans can watch the game live on CBC and Sportsnet, with the puck dropping at 10:00 p.m. ET. It promises to be a thrilling encounter in which both teams will try to come away with a treasured victory despite the daunting challenges presented by injuries.
In a rivalry that has seen the Oilers dominate in previous meetings—Edmonton boasts an 8-0 record in their last eight encounters against Seattle—the stakes continue to rise. With significant lineup changes lined up for both teams, every moment on the ice will count as they battle for playoff positioning in the tight NHL standings.
As the evening descends on Rogers Place, anticipation will brew among the fans as the Oilers strive to extend their point streak to five games, hoping that resilience and teamwork can lead them to victory against the visiting Kraken.
