Utah HC Ready For Battle With The (Seattle) Kraken This Season

We are approaching the halfway point of our season matchup previews, and we've already highlighted some big names like Colorado, Dallas, and Los Angeles, just to name a few.

And while we have yet to touch the Eastern Conference, one of the teams in the West that is looking to get back to even is the most recent expansion team prior to Utah.

Related: What Utah Fans Can Expect From Colorado This Season

Related: Utah Looks To Knock The Crown Off Los Angeles Kings

That would be the Seattle Kraken, whom Utah will try to emulate as playoff participants in their first season, as were the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Kraken, under new head coach Dan Bylsma, will look to return to form after a disappointing 2023-24 season which saw them finish in sixth in the Pacific Division.

They'll have plenty of help and firepower returning with the likes of Jordan Eberle and rookie sensation Matty Beniers, but they also added some snarl with the additions of Brandon Montour and Chandler Stephenson.

Just as Utah did with their additions, Montour looks to be the anchor on the first power-play unit, while Stephenson figures to slot into the top-six to give some physicality on those lines.

Seattle also has the services of Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Philipp Grubauer again, who was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021 and is looking to get back into that same groove.

With all this said, don't be surprised if Seattle gets into the playoffs and makes a deep run this year. This could be a team that can catch you on an off night at the right time.

And Utah is hoping they can be the ones to spoil the party before the Kraken do the same to anyone else.

Related: The Dallas Stars Dig Deep, And Utah Will Get To Experience That