Seattle Kraken Face Dallas Stars in Post-Olympic NHL Matchup

The Seattle Kraken will take on the Dallas Stars on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET at the American Airlines Center. This matchup marks the first game for both teams following a three-week break due to the Winter Olympics. The Stars, currently third in the Central Division with a record of 34-14-9, are looking to maintain their playoff position, while the Kraken, with a record of 27-20-9, aim to solidify their standing in the Pacific Division.

Newsweek

The Dallas Stars enter this game on a six-game winning streak and are five points behind the NHL-leading Colorado Avalanche. The Kraken, however, are tied for third in the Pacific Division with the Anaheim Ducks, trailing the division-leading Vegas Golden Knights by five points. Both teams are in a competitive playoff race, with the Kraken needing to secure points to distance themselves from the Los Angeles Kings, who are just three points behind.

Newsweek

The Stars will be without leading scorer Mikko Rantanen, who is sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained during Olympic play. Other notable absences for Dallas include Radek Faksa and Tyler Seguin, while Roope Hintz is listed as day-to-day due to illness. The Kraken also face challenges, with Ben Meyers and Matt Murray out due to lower-body injuries, and Jaden Schwartz listed as day-to-day.

New York Times

Both teams have players who participated in the Olympics, which could affect their performance. The Kraken's Eeli Tolvanen and Kaapo Kakko recently returned from winning a bronze medal with Finland, while several Stars players, including Rantanen and defenseman Miro Heiskanen, also competed. The potential fatigue from Olympic play may impact the Stars more significantly, as they have six players who made deep runs in the tournament.

Kraken (27-20-9) at Stars (34-14-9)

Historically, the Kraken have struggled against the Stars, with a record of 2-10-2 against them. They have not won a regulation game at the American Airlines Center, with their only victories coming in overtime. This matchup presents an opportunity for the Kraken to break their losing streak against Dallas, especially given the Stars' current player absences.

Kraken (27-20-9) at Stars (34-14-9)

Kraken coach Lane Lambert emphasized the need for his team to capitalize on the Stars' potential fatigue and injuries. He noted, “We need to come out of this break strong. We’re rested up, healthy, and need to put some standings distance between ourselves and the teams chasing us.”

Kraken (27-20-9) at Stars (34-14-9)

Following this game, the Kraken will face the St. Louis Blues in a back-to-back matchup, while the Stars will continue their push for playoff positioning. The outcome of this game could significantly influence both teams' standings as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season.

Kraken Set To Resume ‘Fun’ Playoff Push

• “The Kraken need to come out of this break strong.” — Lane Lambert, Kraken Coach

Kraken (27-20-9) at Stars (34-14-9)

• “This could be an excellent chance to end that skid.” — Analysis on Kraken's historical performance against Stars

Kraken (27-20-9) at Stars (34-14-9)

• “Three: Know the foe – Oettinger has been a thorn or 10 in the Kraken’s hide since the franchise was born, so him not playing could have a big impact on this game.” — Commentary on Stars' goaltender performance against Kraken

Kraken (27-20-9) at Stars (34-14-9)

This matchup promises to be a critical game for both teams as they aim to secure their playoff aspirations in the tightly contested NHL landscape.

Newsweek