Wild vs. Kraken: Game Preview, Starting Goalies, and How to Watch (January 8, 2026)

5 months agoUS
Wild vs. Kraken: Game Preview, Starting Goalies, and How to Watch (January 8, 2026)Source: nhl.com
The Minnesota Wild face off against the Seattle Kraken on January 8, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. This game marks the end of a long road trip for the Wild, while the Kraken look to continue their strong performance in January. Here's a preview of the matchup, including how to watch and key stats.

Key Insights

The Minnesota Wild (25-11-8) visit the Seattle Kraken (20-14-7) on January 8, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET.

Jesper Wallstedt is expected to start in goal for the Wild, while Philipp Grubauer will start for the Kraken.

The Kraken are on a hot streak, with an 8-0-1 record in their last nine games.

Key stats to watch: Kirill Kaprizov's point production for the Wild and Jordan Eberle's contributions for the Kraken.

Minnesota has won the last six games played at Seattle and earned a point in eight of the last nine meetings overall (7-1-1).

Why this matters: This game is crucial for both teams as they aim to solidify their positions in the Western Conference standings. The Wild look to bounce back after a loss, while the Kraken seek to extend their winning streak.

In-Depth Analysis

Background

The Minnesota Wild are currently third in the Western Conference with 58 points, while the Seattle Kraken are sixth with 47 points. The Wild are coming off a loss to the Kings, while the Kraken are riding a strong winning streak.

Team Stats

| Stat | SEA | MIN |

|---------------|--------|--------|

| Power Play | 22.7% | 22.4% |

| Penalty Kill | 70.4% | 76.9% |

| Faceoff | 46.8% | 46.8% |

| Goals For/GP | 2.78 | 3.11 |

| Goals Against/GP | 2.83 | 2.64 |

Players to Watch

Minnesota Wild:: Kirill Kaprizov leads the team with 49 points in 44 games.

Seattle Kraken:: Jordan Eberle has 28 points in 41 games.

Goaltending Matchup

Minnesota Wild:: Jesper Wallstedt (11-2-4, 2.30 GAA, .928 SV%)

Seattle Kraken:: Philipp Grubauer (8-3-1, 2.21 GAA, .926 SV%)

Historical Context

The Wild have dominated the recent matchups in Seattle, winning the last six games played there. Minnesota has outscored the Kraken 44-28 in the all-time series.

How to Watch

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and available for streaming on FuboTV. Get tickets on StubHub&ref=yanuki.com to watch in person.

FAQs

Q: What time does the game start?

The game starts at 10 p.m. ET.

Q: Where is the game being played?

The game is being played at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.

Q: What channel is the game on?

The game is on ESPN+.

Key Takeaways

The Wild vs. Kraken game is a key matchup in the Western Conference.

Jesper Wallstedt and Philipp Grubauer are the starting goalies.

The Kraken are on a strong winning streak, but the Wild have historically performed well in Seattle.

Watch the game on ESPN+ or stream it on FuboTV&ref=yanuki.com.

Discussion

Do you think the Wild will continue their dominance in Seattle? Let us know!

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