Jessica: Matt Coronato had four points in Friday’s game. Four. He dismantled our neutral zone, picked apart our penalty kill, and left us staring at a 6-2 scoreboard in Calgary. But here is the thing that keeps me up at night: they are coming back to Seattle on November 5th.
Mark: And we know exactly where it broke down. It wasn’t just bad luck; it was structural failure. If Seattle wants to survive this rematch, they have to lock down the middle and stop forcing plays into traffic.
Jessica: Welcome to the Beatline Podcast Network, your daily source for everything Seattle Kraken. I’m Jessica, and I’m joined by Mark. We are breaking down the Pacific Division clash between the 8-5 Kraken and the 7-8 Flames. Today: the injury report reality, the Matty Beniers factor, and how to finally shut down Matt Coronato.
Mark: Right. Three things today. First, we’re looking at the matchup angles and why this is a must-win for positioning. Second, we’re dissecting the lineup with nine players out, focusing on Mackie Samoskevich and the new trade acquisition Matthew Wood. And third, the keys to the game—specifically, fixing that penalty kill before it kills our season again.
Jessica: Let’s get right into it. Segment One: The Matchup. We played them two nights ago, and it was a disaster. Why does this specific Calgary team look so different from the rest of the league?
Mark: It’s their forecheck structure. In Calgary, they don’t just dump and chase; they trap. They force turnovers in the neutral zone, which is exactly what happened to us on Friday. When you lose possession there, you’re chasing the puck all the way to your own net.
Jessica: So we were passive? Because it felt like we were running into a wall every time we tried to enter their zone.
Mark: Exactly. You can’t carry the puck through the center ice lane against them right now. You have to use the walls. Force them wide. Make them defend the perimeter. When we went straight at them, Matt Coronato was waiting in the slot to pick off passes.
Jessica: That’s frustrating because we have the talent to break lines, but with our current roster, we don’t have the depth to absorb that pressure. How do we adjust the line matchups?
Mark: You simplify the entry. No trick plays. Just get the puck deep, cycle it, and let the defensemen hold the blue line. If you try to lace a pass over the top while they are collapsing the middle, you’re giving away a turnover. And we cannot afford turnovers against a team that transitions as quickly as Calgary.
Jessica: So, discipline over flash. That’s the story here. The Kraken are sixth in the West, sitting at 8-5, but one loss to Calgary drops the momentum. Can we actually win this one if we stick to the basics?
Mark: We absolutely can. In fact, if we limit Calgary to high-danger chances from the low slot, we win this game comfortably. The Flames are 7-8; they are not a juggernaut. They are a team that exploits mistakes. If we don’t make them, they can’t score.
Jessica: I love that. No excuses, just execution. Let’s move to Segment Two. The Injury Report and Line Combinations. This is the scary part. Nine players out. Including Jared McCann, Ryan Lindgren, and Jonathan Huberdeau. Talk to me about the impact of losing the core defense.
Mark: Losing Ryan Lindgren is huge. He anchors the physicality. Without him, Adam Larsson and Brandon Montour have to cover more ice. And then you add in the loss of Jared McCann. That changes the entire top-six dynamic. Who steps up?
Jessica: Well, we saw some sparks from Mackie Samoskevich last game. He had a goal and an assist. Is he ready to take on a bigger role alongside Jordan Eberle or Kaapo Kakko?
Mark: He has to be. Samoskevich is fast, he’s direct, and he doesn’t shy away from contact. He needs to pair with someone who can set him up. Maybe Chandler Stephenson on the second unit to facilitate? Or even look at the new acquisition, Matthew Wood. What do you think of Wood’s fit here?
Jessica: The trade with Nashville for Shane Wright was big news, but Wood brings experience. He’s a RW who can play both sides. Does he provide the grit we missed without Jake O’Brien?
Mark: O’Brien is out too, by the way. So yes, Wood brings that edge. But tactically, I want to see him playing more in front of the net. With Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer sharing nets, we need bodies to screen them. Wood can do that. Samoskevich can create space. It’s a different look than we’ve seen all year.
Jessica: And let’s not forget Matty Beniers. We talked about his defensive zone activity yesterday. With the defense corps depleted, he can’t just be a playmaker. He has to be a shutdown center.
Mark: Crucial point. Beniers has to win his faceoffs, period. If he loses the draw, the puck goes to the other side, and suddenly Berkly Catton or Curtis Douglas are having to handle heavy minutes. Beniers’ ability to control the pace in his own end will dictate whether this team survives the first twenty minutes.
Jessica: Nine players out. It feels like a test of depth. Do we trust the guys stepping in? Or is this a bridge until the healthy return?
Mark: In the NHL, you play with who you have. You can’t wait for McCann or Huberdeau to come back. You have to maximize Samoskevich, Wood, and the remaining veterans. If we wait, we fall behind in the Pacific. And the Flames are right there in the standings, waiting to pounce.
Jessica: Alright, let’s wrap up the injuries. We’re hoping for some good news, but for now, we prepare for the scrappy, defensive battle. Segment Three: Keys to the Game and Prediction. Mark, give me the bold take. How does Seattle win this rematch?
Mark: Here is the key: The Power Play. Last game, we got nothing. Against Calgary, if we don’t score at least two goals on the man, we lose. They are aggressive on the penalty kill, but they leave seams in the circle if you move the puck quickly.
Jessica: So velocity. Don’t hold it. Move it around the perimeter and find the soft spots.
Mark: Exactly. And on the penalty kill, we have to block shots. We got burned on rebound opportunities last time. If we clear the crease, Matt Coronato doesn’t have those easy second-chance looks. It’s about limiting the rebounds.
Jessica: I agree. Rebounds are the killer. And what about goaltending? Joey Daccord or Philipp Grubauer—who starts, and who do you want facing Coronato?
Mark: I’d start Daccord. He’s been steady. But honestly, it doesn’t matter who is in net if the defense isn’t blocking lanes. The goalie can only save so many pucks when they are flying through the slot unimpeded. The defense has to collapse the middle.
Jessica: Collapse the middle, move the puck on the PP, and block every shot in sight. Bold prediction time. I’m saying Seattle wins this one. 4-3. We fix the errors, Samoskevich gets another goal, and we take the series split.
Mark: I’ll go with it. 4-3 Seattle. But it’s going to be ugly. It’s going to be gritty. And it’s going to hinge on Beniers winning ten faceoffs in the first period alone. If he controls that tempo, the Kraken ride the wave home.
Jessica: A gritty, defensive 4-3 win. I like those odds. That wraps up our preview. Before we go, I need to ask you something important. We just spent twenty minutes breaking down how the Kraken can turn this season around despite losing half their roster. That kind of detailed, honest analysis takes work. If you value keeping this show free and daily for all of us fans, please consider chipping in via the link in the episode description. Your support fuels these deep dives.
Mark: Seriously, though. It helps keep the lights on and the research accurate. We appreciate every single listener who helps us out.
Jessica: Thank you for listening. Subscribe, rate, and review us wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with a fellow Kraken fan who needs to hear this. Let’s get this win on November 5th. Go Kraken!