The Seattle Kraken are heading into a key Pacific Division showdown without one of their most physical forwards. Mason Marchment will not travel with the team to Edmonton for Thursday’s game against the Oilers, as he continues to deal with an undisclosed injury that’s kept him off the ice for three straight practices.
Kraken head coach Lane Lambert had held out hope that Marchment might be able to make the trip, but confirmed after Wednesday’s skate that the 30-year-old winger will remain sidelined and is considered day-to-day. It’s a tough blow for Seattle, especially considering how Marchment’s presence was felt in their last meeting with Edmonton. He was right in the middle of several scrums, playing the kind of agitating, in-your-face hockey that tends to get under opponents’ skin-and fire up teammates.
Marchment has appeared in 23 games this season, tallying three goals and 11 points. While those numbers don’t jump off the stat sheet, his impact goes beyond the box score. He brings edge, energy, and a willingness to engage in the gritty areas of the ice-traits that are especially valuable in divisional games where emotions run high and momentum can swing in a heartbeat.
In his absence, 21-year-old Jani Nyman is expected to draw into the lineup. Nyman has three goals in 15 games this season and has shown flashes of offensive upside. This will be a big opportunity for the young winger to carve out a larger role and prove he can contribute in high-leverage moments.
There was some good news for the Kraken on the injury front, though. Defenseman Brandon Montour and forward Jared McCann both returned to practice and are set to travel with the team. While there hadn’t been major concern from Lambert about either player missing time, seeing them back on the ice ahead of a critical matchup is a positive sign for a team trying to claw its way back up the standings.
Seattle currently sits fifth in the Pacific Division, but the standings are tight-and the stakes are high. A win over the Oilers would vault the Kraken back into third place, with games in hand on the teams above them. It would also create some breathing room between Seattle and Edmonton, who trail the Kraken by just one point.
With Marchment out, the Kraken will need others to step up and bring the physical edge he usually provides. But with Montour and McCann back in the mix, and a chance to make a statement in the division, Thursday night in Edmonton shapes up to be a big one.