The Seattle Kraken return to Climate Pledge Arena on November 5, 2025, intent on solidifying their home-ice advantage and building on the disciplined, structured hockey that has kept them competitive through the early portion of the season. Head coach Dave Hakstol’s team has reestablished the defensive identity that defined their 2023 playoff success, anchored by a relentless forecheck, cohesive puck support, and balanced scoring across all four lines. Unlike teams that rely on individual superstars, Seattle’s system thrives on depth, with players such as Matty Beniers, Jaden Schwartz, Jared McCann, and Jordan Eberle sharing the offensive load. Beniers, in particular, has grown into the face of the franchise, blending high-end skating and vision with defensive awareness well beyond his years. The Kraken’s offense relies less on flashy rush chances and more on sustained zone time, high-volume shooting, and traffic in front of the opposing net, often wearing down opponents through puck possession and second-chance opportunities. Defensively, Seattle remains one of the more structured teams in the Western Conference, led by Vince Dunn and Adam Larsson, who form a reliable top pairing capable of both moving the puck efficiently and handling tough defensive assignments. Dunn’s breakout seasons have cemented him as one of the league’s top two-way defensemen, while Larsson’s physical play and net-front presence continue to set the tone in the defensive zone. Goaltending has been a key stabilizer—Philipp Grubauer has regained confidence after an up-and-down campaign, providing timely saves and calm rebound control, particularly in home contests where the Kraken’s defensive structure minimizes high-danger looks.

Special teams remain a work in progress; the power play has struggled with inconsistency, relying too much on perimeter passing, while the penalty kill has been one of the more dependable units in the league thanks to aggressive positioning and shot-blocking commitment. Against San Jose, Seattle’s strategy will be simple but effective: dominate possession, pressure the Sharks’ inexperienced defense with a heavy forecheck, and dictate tempo through disciplined play in all three zones. Expect the Kraken to roll all four lines to maintain pace, as their depth gives them a clear edge over a San Jose team prone to fatigue late in games. Players like Oliver Bjorkstrand and Yanni Gourde bring invaluable energy and versatility, excelling in transition and special-teams situations. At home, Seattle has historically excelled at controlling the pace early, using crowd energy to pin opponents in their own end and generate early scoring chances. From a betting standpoint, the Kraken have been a steady home favorite, often covering the puck line when scoring first, while their structured play tends to push games toward the under unless their offense finds early rhythm. If Grubauer remains sharp and Seattle avoids unnecessary penalties, they should be well-positioned to dictate the flow and frustrate a San Jose team that struggles with sustained defensive pressure. The Kraken’s formula of balanced scoring, disciplined defense, and a high work rate makes them the heavy favorite in this matchup, and they’ll look to use this divisional tilt as a statement game to continue climbing the Pacific Division standings.