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Kraken vs. Flames preview: Huge goalie duel opens 2026-27

Dustin Judge
Kraken vs. Flames preview: Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour during a road game against the Montreal Canadiens

The Seattle Kraken open their 2026-27 regular season Thursday night against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome, and this Kraken vs. Flames preview starts with some recent history: Seattle beat Calgary twice in the preseason. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. ET.

Both clubs enter 0-0-0. The Kraken won 4-2 in Calgary on Sept. 20 and 4-3 in a shootout at home on Sept. 24, though neither result counts in the standings.

Kraken vs. Flames preview: Game information

  • Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
  • Time: 9 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta
  • TV/Streaming: ESPN+, KONG, KHN, Prime Video (local)
  • Series: Season opener for both teams

Kraken outlook

Seattle starts the season with some forward depth questions. Center Jake O’Brien is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury and is projected to return around Oct. 6, while right wing Mackie Samoskevich is on injured reserve with an upper-body injury and a projected return of Oct. 3, according to ESPN’s injury report. Both were placed on injured reserve Sept. 27, per Yahoo Sports.

Joey Daccord is projected to start in goal for Seattle, according to Yahoo Sports. The Kraken got offense from the blue line in their last preseason meeting with Calgary, when Brandon Montour and Ryker Evans each scored in the third period to erase a 3-1 deficit, per NHL.com.

Kraken coach Lane Lambert likes what the pair brings. “The way we want to play, we think it suits them pretty well in terms of their skating ability,” Lambert said after that game. “I love the way they can move the puck.”

Flames outlook

Calgary has absences up front and on the blue line. Left wing Jonathan Huberdeau is on injured reserve after hip surgery, with a projected return date of Oct. 10. Defenseman Henry Mews is out with a left knee injury and is projected to return around Oct. 2, so he is not expected to play in the opener, according to ESPN.

Dustin Wolf is projected to start in goal for the Flames, per Yahoo Sports.

Key matchup in goal

Goaltending looms as the clearest swing factor in this Kraken vs. Flames preview. Philipp Grubauer was in net for Seattle’s Sept. 24 shootout win, and Lambert called him “our best player by far.” If Daccord starts as expected, he’ll face a Flames club that scored three goals in that game, including one on a 5-on-3 power play, though Calgary dressed a lineup heavy on minor leaguers that night, according to The Hockey News.

Seattle’s Montour-Evans pairing also bears watching. If Lambert leans on that duo again, it could dictate how much offense the Kraken generate from the back end.

Kraken vs. Flames preview: What to watch

Both teams finished with losing records last season, Seattle at 34-37-11 and Calgary at 34-39-9, according to ESPN, so an opening-night win would be an early boost for either Pacific Division club. How each injury-thinned lineup holds up will be an early test of depth. Around the league, other openers include a Kings vs. Avalanche playoff rematch, and you can follow more NHL coverage here.

Reporting from Yahoo Sports, NHL.com and The Hockey News contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.