The Seattle Kraken visit the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, Oct. 9 at Little Caesars Arena, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. ET. This Kraken vs Red Wings preview centers on a question hanging over Detroit through its first three games: can the penalty kill hold up against a Seattle power play, or will a shaky special-teams unit keep sinking an offense that has shown signs of life.
Seattle enters at 2-2-0 after alternating blowout wins and lopsided losses. Detroit sits at 1-2-0 and is coming off a 5-3 win over the Ottawa Senators in which Alex DeBrincat scored twice. Both teams are looking to build consistency early in the 2026-27 season.
Kraken Vs Red Wings Game Information
- Date: Friday, Oct. 9
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Venue: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, Michigan
- TV/Streaming: ESPN+, KONG, KING 5, KHN, Prime Video (Local), DSN
- Season series: Series starts Oct. 9
Can Detroit’s Penalty Kill Survive Against Seattle?
Detroit’s penalty kill has stopped just four of eight chances to open the season, according to Yahoo Sports. All three goals Detroit allowed in its loss to the Winnipeg Jets came while Detroit was shorthanded, the outlet reported. That follows a penalty kill that ranked 23rd in the NHL at 77.14% last season and was the fourth-worst in league history at 70.1% in 2024-25, per Yahoo Sports.
The problem stands out against an otherwise solid defensive picture. Detroit’s 5-on-5 play has held up, with a .913 save percentage hovering around the NHL average, Yahoo Sports reported. Detroit’s season-long save percentage sits at .903 with 65 saves on 73 shots against, according to ESPN‘s official statistics. Seattle has converted three power-play goals on its own chances already this season, giving Detroit’s man-down unit a live test on home ice.
Is Seattle’s Scoring Surge For Real?
Seattle ranks sixth in the NHL in goals per game at 4.33, a sharp turnaround from finishing 28th a season ago at 2.73, according to ESPN. The Kraken have scored 15 goals on the season against Detroit’s 7, per the league’s official team statistics. Jared McCann leads Seattle with five points, and Jack Eichel has racked up six points through his first three games, ESPN reported.
That offensive jump was on display in Seattle’s 6-1 win over the Calgary Flames in its home opener, when Mackie Samoskevich scored twice and Berkly Catton, Samoskevich and Bobby McMann all found the net within the first eight minutes, according to the Associated Press. Seattle has split results since, following that win with a 6-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights in its most recent game.
What Do The Injury Reports Look Like For Both Teams?
Detroit is dealing with a crowded injury list. Carter Bear (upper body), Mason Appleton (undisclosed) and J.T. Compher (undisclosed) are on injured reserve, while Marco Kasper (upper body) is also out. Defenseman Simon Edvinsson is unavailable because of a contract dispute, with a projected return date of Oct. 10, according to the official injury report.
Seattle’s absences are shorter. Ryan Lindgren (upper body) and Jacob Melanson (upper body) remain on injured reserve, and center Jake O’Brien (lower body) is out as well, per the league’s data. John Gibson is listed as Detroit’s probable starting goalie, while Joey Daccord is listed as Seattle’s probable starter, though both designations remain projections until warmups confirm the lineups.
Key Matchup: Seattle’s Power Play Against Detroit’s Short-Handed Unit
The clearest storyline on the ice is special teams. Seattle’s power play has already produced three goals this season, and Detroit’s penalty kill has allowed goals on half its shorthanded situations. If Detroit draws penalties or takes them in Friday’s game, how that unit performs could shape whether its home-ice push continues or stalls. Detroit’s offense has carried its own momentum into this matchup, with DeBrincat’s two-goal effort against Ottawa the latest example of scoring depth beyond its early-season record.
What To Watch
Both teams are still searching for form early in the season, and Friday’s result will factor into early Atlantic and Pacific Division positioning. Detroit sits last in the Atlantic at 2 points, while Seattle sits mid-pack in the Pacific at 4 points, according to the current standings. Fans can track how Detroit’s penalty kill holds up against a Seattle man-advantage unit that has already produced results, and whether Seattle’s early scoring pace continues on the road.
Don't stop here
Every Score. Every Story. One Home.
Breaking sports, entertainment and news from across the Total Apex network, updated all day.
Get the Full Story →
