The Seattle Kraken will face the Washington Capitals on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. in Seattle, looking to build on a recent win over New Jersey. While the Kraken emphasize physical play and Matty Beniers' offensive surge, the Capitals struggle after losing five of their last six games. Logan Thompson is expected to start in net for Washington against Seattle's Philipp Grubauer.
The Seattle Kraken (23-19-9) welcome the Washington Capitals (25-21-7) to Climate Pledge Arena for a 7:00 p.m. matchup, highlighting contrasting team dynamics. Seattle comes off a spirited 19-hit performance in Sunday's win over New Jersey, a marked improvement in distribution from their 21-hit loss to Anaheim on Friday. In the Ducks game, Jacob Melanson set a franchise record with 10 hits, and Eeli Tolvanen added five, accounting for 71% of the total. Against New Jersey, Melanson had seven and Tolvanen three for 53%, with broader contributions from forwards like Jaden Schwartz (two hits), Jared McCann, Shane Wright, Freddy Gaudreau, and Chandler Stephenson (one each). This all-around engagement, particularly in offensive and neutral zones, has boosted Seattle's output against a defense allowing just 2.91 goals per game league-wide.
Matty Beniers has been central to the Kraken's attack, tying Jordan Eberle for the team lead with 34 points on five goals and three assists over his last 10 games. The 2021 No. 2 overall pick, who won the Calder Trophy in 2022-23 with 24 goals, now blends elite creativity and improved defense. His recent play, including stickhandling past Vancouver's Thatcher Demko for a shootout win, underscores his two-way impact. With a 12.5% shooting percentage this season—down from 16.8% as a rookie—Beniers' production feels sustainable. Against Washington's stout defense, his drive to high-danger areas could prove decisive.
The Capitals, led by Alex Ovechkin's 21 goals and 44 points at age 40, boast balance with Tom Wilson topping the team at 22 goals and 46 points. Ten players have 21 or more points, and six reach 34 or better—matching Seattle's leaders. However, Washington has faltered lately, dropping five of six, including a 6-5 overtime loss to Edmonton on Saturday, and posting a 4-7-2 January record that knocked them from playoff contention. Logan Thompson, fresh off a 3-1 win in Calgary, likely starts with a .914 save percentage, 2.39 goals-against average, and a 4-1-0 record lifetime against Seattle, including stopping 18 of 19 shots in October.
Projected Kraken lines include Kakko-Beniers-Eberle, Schwartz-Stephenson-Tolvanen, and Catton-Wright-McCann, with defense pairs of Dunn-Larsson and Lindgren-Montour. Grubauer is expected in net. The Capitals' size demands Seattle absorb and deliver physicality to avoid early deficits.
