Florida Panthers vs Seattle Kraken: Preview, Matchups, Odds

Florida Panthers host the Seattle Kraken at home before going on the road for the next three games. 

• Time — 6:00 PM ET
• Location — Amerant Bank Arena (Sunrise, FL)
• TV (Local) — Bally Sports
• TV (National) — ESPN+

What to watch for: Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers enter their matchup against the Kraken with a 3-3-0 record after beating the San Jose Sharks 3-1 Tuesday night.

They were forced to play the Sharks without captain and top center Sasha Barkov, due to illness, but his participation in Friday practice is a positive indication that he will be good to go against the Kraken.

Sergei Bobrovsky is set to get the start in net after Anthony Stolarz played his first game of the season on Tuesday. Bobrovsky will have a full week of rest after last playing in the Panthers’ 5-3 loss last Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.

Encouragingly, the team announced that Sam Bennett will be a game-time decision. Bennett has been out due to injury since the team’s penultimate preseason game. A return to the lineup would be welcomed as the next two games up after the Kraken are against the No. 1 and 2 teams in the Atlantic Division — the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings.

Should Bennett be fully healthy, expect him to slide back into his usual second-line center role that Eetu Luostarinen has occupied in his absence.

What to watch for: Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken enter the game struggling to find their rhythm with a 2-4-2 record.

Since their expansion draft, Seattle has built their roster with depth in mind, without there being a focus on building around a singular star talent. That worked for them last year — after not working their inaugural season — as they secured a wildcard playoff spot with 100 standings points. But so far in the early going of this season, that same success has not been replicated.

Defenseman Vince Dunn and right wing Oliver Bjorkstand lead the Kraken in scoring, each with 7 points. Center Jaden Schwartz leads the team in goal scoring with 4 goals.

With the Kraken’s goalscoring being among the worst in the league, at 2.25 goals per game, they have needed their defense and goaltending to step up. The team’s expected starter to begin the season, Philipp Grubauer, is 0-4-0 with a .896 save percentage. Joey Daccord looks to have played his way into a co-starter role with a 2-0-2 record and a .910 save percentage. Neither goalie has been confirmed as the Kraken’s starter as of Friday.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: -165 Panthers
• Puckline: -1.5 Panthers
• Over/Under: 6.5

Consideration: In the Florida Panthers’ three wins this season, two were won by a two-goal margin, with both requiring an empty net score.