The Winnipeg Jets are gearing up for another thrilling matchup as they face off against the Seattle Kraken on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at the Climate Pledge Arena. With strong ambitions aimed at seizing the top position within the NHL, the Jets come to Seattle carrying a record of 46 wins, 17 losses, and 4 overtime losses, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal game for both teams.
On the flip side, the Kraken, boasting a record of 29 wins, 34 losses, and 4 overtime losses, find themselves 11 points out of playoff contention. This season can be described as underwhelming for Seattle, prompting their general manager Ron Francis to sell off key players at the trade deadline, including bringing back Brandon Tanev, who will now face his former team. “We are hoping he can irritate them as much as he does everyone else and do what he needs to do to help us,” said Jets' head coach Scott Arniel about Tanev's expected impact. Tanev previously recorded 41 goals and 42 assists over his time with the Kraken before his return to Winnipeg.
The Jets are currently among the NHL leaders, tied with the Washington Capitals for the most points. Their recent form includes two solid victories against the Dallas Stars and the New York Rangers, contributing to their current two-game winning streak. Both games highlighted the Jets’ strong offensive unit, which is currently the third highest-scoring team of the season, netting 234 goals and allowing only 154 goals against. Coach Arniel’s offense has also been buoyed by their elite special teams, noted for having the best power-play unit this season.
"It is going to be nice to see some old teammates and some friends, but when the puck drops it is business as usual," Tanev expressed about his return to Seattle, reflecting on the friendships he built during his previous stint there.
Meanwhile, the Kraken have recently managed to secure two wins, boosting their morale as they approach the game against Winnipeg. Despite their efforts, they sit firmly outside the playoff picture and are striving to end the season with stronger performances. Seattle’s struggles can be illustrated through their ranking, as they hold the 25th position for both power play and penalty kill efficiency.
Neal Pionk, Winnipeg's veteran defenseman, remains sidelined with a lower-body injury and is designated as week-to-week by the team. While his absence is felt, the Jets will look to Eric Comrie guarding the net tonight. Comrie is on the rebound after overcoming struggles earlier and has proven himself with recent performances, including his last start, which resulted in a convincing 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Puck drop for the game is at 8 PM CDT, and neither team can afford to drop points at this stage of the season. The previous matchups this season saw the Jets dominate against Seattle, winning both encounters with scores of 4-3 and 2-1, respectively. Historically, the Jets boast impressive statistics against the Kraken, with Winnipeg recording 9 wins and only 2 losses since Seattle entered the NHL.
Seattle's notable players to watch out for would be their promising young centers, including Matthew Beniers, Shane Wright, and Jared McCann, all contributing significantly to their forward depth. Each of them has shown flashes of brilliance and will need to rise to the occasion if the Kraken hopes to contest with the top teams of the NHL.
With strong skaters lining up for both teams and their historical rivalry marked by close-contested games, fans can expect another encounter filled with competitive spirit. With eight of the last nine games between these two franchises decided by one goal, neurological excitement will remain high as they hit the ice.
For Jets fans, there’s hope for extending the winning streak and inching closer to securing home-ice advantage for the playoffs. On the other hand, the Kraken are eager to showcase their resilience and desire to build on their recent success. This match is not just another game; it's where playoff hopes meet fierce competition.
Following the game, fans can tune in for post-game analysis on the Illegal Curve YouTube channel and catch highlights and discussions surrounding the track of the match.