Kraken seek stronger defensive start as Montour status remains uncertain

Seattle heads to Florida on Saturday trying to tighten its defensive play in the final game of its road trip. The Kraken and Panthers meet at Amerant Bank Arena on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. ET, or 3 p.m. PT.

In the Kraken’s official preview, coach Lane Lambert and forward Jared McCann stressed the need to sustain Seattle’s skating effort. The club noted that it allowed Tampa Bay 35 shots on Thursday, with Philipp Grubauer making 14 saves in the opening period. Seattle enters the Florida game at 5-2-1 after going 3-0-1 in the first four games of the trip.

Brandon Montour’s availability is uncertain after he left the Tampa Bay game with a lower-body injury. The Kraken preview identified Cale Fleury as a potential replacement alongside Ryker Evans, subject to Montour’s status before the game. It also projected Joey Daccord to start in goal.

Seattle has drawn scoring from across its lineup: 11 players had scored at least twice as of Friday, according to the club. Jared McCann and Chandler Stephenson share the team lead with eight points each.