The Seattle Kraken are set to face off against the Ottawa Senators this Saturday at Climate Pledge Arena in a high-stakes non-conference matchup. As the NHL season enters its final stretch, both teams find themselves in the thick of their respective playoff races, making every point critical. The Kraken look to defend their home ice and snap a losing streak against an Ottawa team that has historically had their number.
Playoff Implications and Team Standings
Entering this matchup, the Seattle Kraken hold a record of 29-23-9 (67 points), placing them fourth in a highly competitive Pacific Division. Seattle has relied on a balanced offensive attack and disciplined defensive play to stay in the hunt, but they face a daunting challenge in an Ottawa squad that is currently one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference.
The Ottawa Senators arrive in Seattle with a 30-22-9 record (69 points) following a convincing 4-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. The Senators have been on a tear lately, posting a 7-1-2 record in their last ten games. They currently sit just four points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in the East, and a victory in Seattle would provide another massive boost to their postseason aspirations.
Key Players to Watch: Stutzle and Ullmark Leading the Charge
A primary storyline for the Senators is the incredible form of Tim Stutzle. The young star is currently riding an 11-game point streak, during which he has tallied seven goals and eight assists. His ability to drive play and create scoring opportunities will be a major test for the Kraken’s defensive pairings, led by Adam Larsson and Vince Dunn.
Between the pipes, Ottawa's Linus Ullmark has been nearly unbeatable, going 8-0-3 in his last 11 decisions. On the other side, the Kraken will likely counter with Joey Daccord or Philipp Grubauer as they look to neutralize Ottawa’s potent top six. Seattle’s offense, led by captain Jordan Eberle and leading scorer Jared McCann, will need to find ways to solve Ullmark early to prevent the Senators from dictating the tempo.
Head-to-Head History Favors Ottawa
The historical matchup between these two franchises has leaned heavily in favor of the Senators. Ottawa currently holds a 6-3 all-time record against Seattle and is riding a three-game winning streak in the series. Earlier this season, on October 16, the Senators escaped with a 4-3 shootout victory at home, a game in which Chandler Stephenson netted two goals for the Kraken in a losing effort.
- Last Meeting: Ottawa won 4-3 (SO) on Oct. 16, 2025.
- All-Time Series: Senators lead 6-3.
- Current Streak: Senators have won 3 straight against the Kraken.
Keys to Victory for the Seattle Kraken
To secure a win in this non-conference matchup, Seattle must prioritize special teams. The Kraken’s power play has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but they face an Ottawa penalty kill that has become increasingly stingy during their recent hot streak. Additionally, limiting turnovers in the neutral zone will be essential to preventing Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk from launching dangerous counter-attacks.
With the Climate Pledge Arena crowd behind them, the Kraken have a prime opportunity to gain ground in the Pacific Division standings. However, they must contend with an Ottawa team that is playing some of its best hockey of the year and refuses to blink in the face of the Eastern Conference playoff pressure.
Sources & Original Reporting
