Avalanche, Led by Red-Hot MacKinnon, Visit Struggling Kraken SEATTLE (Interstat) — The surging Colorado Avalanche, led by a torrid Nathan MacKinnon, face the struggling Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday night in a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions. The Avalanche (23-9-0) arrive in Seattle having won eight of their last 10 games, including a 4-2 victory over Nashville on Saturday. Colorado sits near the top of the NHL standings, showcasing a potent offense and steady goaltending. Scott Wedgewood, who made 27 saves in the win over the Predators, has provided stability in net. All-Star center Nathan MacKinnon is the engine driving Colorado’s success. He enters Tuesday’s contest on a remarkable point streak, having recorded at least one point in nine of his last 10 games. During that span, he has tallied 9 goals and 10 assists, including a goal and an assist in Saturday’s win. His line, frequently featuring Valeri Nichushkin (1 goal, 8 shots vs. Nashville), has been dominant. The Seattle Kraken (12-17-0), meanwhile, are mired in a slump, having lost five of their last six games. Their most recent outing was a 5-3 defeat in Utah on Friday. The team has struggled to find consistent scoring and has allowed 4 or more goals in four of those six losses. A bright spot for Seattle has been the recent play of winger Mason Marchment. He scored two goals on six shots in the loss to Utah, showing a flash of the secondary scoring the Kraken desperately need. However, the team’s overall defensive structure will be tested by the Avalanche’s high-powered attack. This game opens a brief two-game homestand for the Kraken before they embark on a four-game road trip. The Avalanche continue a road swing before returning to Denver to host Winnipeg on Friday. Historically, the matchups between these teams have been tight, but Colorado’s current form presents a significant challenge for a Seattle squad seeking to stop its slide. The Kraken will need a disciplined defensive effort and timely saves to contain MacKinnon and cool off the Avalanche. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST at Climate Pledge Arena.