The Seattle Kraken have revealed that their first home game of the regular season will be against the Climate Pledge Anaheim Ducks on October 9th. The Kraken are aiming to secure their first-ever opening night victory after four seasons without a win on opening night.
Both teams feature new head coaches: Joel Quenneville leading the Ducks and Lane Lambert at the helm for the Kraken. Quenneville returns to coaching after last serving with the Florida Panthers in the 2021-22 season, while Lambert is set for his first home game as Kraken head coach following a stint as Associate Head Coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs last season.
The Ducks have undergone significant changes from the perspective of Kraken fans, notably losing star goalie John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings and the flashy Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. However, the Ducks have bolstered their lineup by trading with the New York Rangers to add veteran winger Chris Kreider.
Historically, the Kraken have had a 9-4-1 record against the Ducks but went 0-2-1 against them last season. The Kraken are also hoping to break their unlucky streak of 0-4 on opening day, having lost their initial games to the Vancouver Canucks (2021), Vegas Golden Knights (2022), Colorado Avalanche (2023), and St. Louis Blues (2024).
Meanwhile, the Kraken have also announced their preseason schedule for the 2025-26 season, which includes six games starting with a match against the Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena on September 21st. This preseason will be crucial for assessing young talent alongside seasoned players as the team prepares for the new season.
Fan Take: This matchup marks a pivotal moment for the Kraken as they seek to shed their opening night woes and establish a stronger presence in the league. With fresh coaching perspectives and roster changes, this game could showcase emerging rivalries and set the tone for an exciting NHL season ahead.
