Kraken Wrap Up Road Trip in Winnipeg with Key Matchup Against Jets

The Seattle Kraken will close out their first road trip of 2025 with a highly anticipated matchup against the Winnipeg Jets Thursday night, marking the second of three meetings between the two teams this season. The Kraken are looking to bounce back after a narrow 4-3 overtime loss to the Jets at home on October 24, 2024. This game is the lone matchup between the teams in Winnipeg this season, and the Kraken will be eager to improve their record against the Jets, who have historically been a tough opponent.

Kraken’s Road Struggles Against Winnipeg

The Kraken have struggled against Winnipeg with a 2-5-3 record and a 1-3-1 mark on the road. The Jets have had a standout year and are currently sit on top of the Central division. The Kraken have a chance to use Tuesday night's win in Pittsburgh as momentum to change the narrative, but several key factors need to improve to pull off a win in the Great White North.

Key Players to Watch

The Kraken come into tomorrow's game with the second-most goals by defensemen in the NHL, an impressive feat that highlights their ability to generate offense from the back end. A key player in that category is Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has been one of Seattle’s most consistent contributors. Bjorkstrand, currently on a three-game point streak, has two goals and one assist in his last three outings. Alongside him, Kaapo Kakko has also been in fine form, riding a three-game point streak with two goals and two assists.

Jaden Schwartz, who leads the Kraken with 6 goals and 9 assists for 15 points in 32 career games against Winnipeg, has been another standout player. He’ll be a key figure in the team's efforts to secure a win in Winnipeg. Meanwhile, Andre Burakovsky, who ranks second on the team in points (12) and assists (8) in 21 career games against the Jets, will be looking to build on his own strong history against the Jets.

Brandon Tanev will be a key figure for Seattle. With 15 points (8 goals, 7 assists) this season, he’s also a physical force, ranking third on the team in hits (96) and blocked shots (75). A former Jet, Tanev has 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 10 career games against Winnipeg and will look to impact both ends of the ice.

Kyle Connor is the player to watch for Winnipeg. He recently scored a natural hat trick in the first period against Vancouver on January 14 and has 59 points for the season. Connor has been especially lethal against Seattle, tallying 14 points (7 goals, 7 assists) in just 10 games against the Kraken.

Puck drop at Canada Life Centre is scheduled for 5PM PT. The Kraken's next home game is Saturday, January 18th as they host the Los Angeles Kings at 7PM PST.

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