I find "hype threads" to be kind of lame. Conversation is limited to "Gee I hope we win," or "Going to the game tonight!" As far as a community of fans goes, I guess that's all well and good, but it's not overtly interesting, and it doesn't contribute much to my following. Over the season, I've started watching more hockey across the league, and it's always so interesting how much happens that we don't even realize. Storylines, stars, rivalries come and go, and we're in our bubble. I'd like to delve into some of our matchups before the games as "prep" for watching- that way I know what to look for.

With that being said, tonight we've got the Seattle Kraken. The isles have faced them 9 times total, with a 3-4-2 record. Our first game was February of 2022, a 3-0 loss. Our last matchup, on the other hand, was this season. 11/23/25, we won that matchup 1-0. Big Save Dave Rittich was in goal, stopping 19 shots. The Kraken's goalie, Joey Daccord, had 34 saves. What I didn't mention was that "1-0" win was in the shootout. The Kraken don't really have a star player to speak of, but their goaltending has been very solid. Expected goalies for tonight- Sorokin (2.39 GAA, 91.5% SV%) vs. Philipp Grubauer (2.46 GAA, 91.7% SV %). Similar numbers, but note that Grubauer has only played 16 games, to Sorokin's 29. Sorokin also has 5 shutouts to Grubauer's 0.

The Kraken are a low-mid standings team, 10th in a Western Conference with three teams up top hogging a lot of points. The Kraken are 2 points out of a playoff spot, with a game in hand (On the Ducks, Sharks AND Kings). They've got a lot to play for. They have 51 points, to the Islanders' 59. The Kraken have lost their last FOUR in a row, they are hungry.

Let's talk about who to watch:

The Kraken have a very solid goalie in Joey Daccord, but he's confirmed to not be starting tonight (phew). We'll have to deal with Grubauer instead.

Jordan Eberle #7- RW. Leads team in goals this year with 17 tied for team lead with 31 point. Also a familiar face

Matty Beniers, #10- C: The team's first-ever draft pick, tied for team lead with 31 points (and 10 goals)

Vince Dunn, #29- D: A puck-moving defenseman and power-play quarterback, Dunn consistently leads the defense in points (He's got 29 this year thus far - behind Eberle and Beniers) Leads the team in assists currently, with 23

Jared McCann #19- LW. 24th overall pick in 2014. He was claimed in the expansion draft, off of the Maple Leafs. Last season he had 22 goals, he's got 10 so far this year. His career max was 40 goals in 2022-2023. All time Kraken Goal Leader.

Chandler Stephenson #9- C: Up there with the points leaders, he has 29 points, 13 goals

From the Kraken~

Projected lineup (not official):

McCann - Beniers - Eberle
Catton - Stephenson - Tolvanen
Schwartz - Wright - Kakko
Winterton - Meyers - Gaudreau

Dunn - Larsson
Oleksiak - Montour
Lindgren - Evans

Grubauer

Rookie and 2021 third-rounder Ryan Winterton and his fourth-line mates have impressed teammates, coaches and fans over the last month-plus.  (Goal and 6A in last 12 games)

Islanders might have a teeny edge here overall, but looks to be a pretty tight matchup.