Preview: Penguins Visit Kraken in Monday Night NHL Matchup SEATTLE (Interstat) — Two teams on the fringe of the playoff picture will meet when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on Monday night. Both clubs enter with nearly identical records. The Penguins (22-24-0) have 44 points, while the Kraken (21-26-0) have 42 points. Each is looking to build momentum after recent splits. Pittsburgh is coming off a 6-3 win over Philadelphia on Thursday, but had lost three straight prior. Seattle has dropped three of its last four, including a 6-3 loss at Utah on Saturday. A player to watch for Pittsburgh is forward Connor Dewar, who has been a consistent contributor. He scored a goal in the win over Philadelphia and has recorded seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in his last 10 games, providing valuable secondary scoring behind stars like Sidney Crosby. For Seattle, center Matty Beniers remains a key offensive catalyst. Despite the team’s struggles, Beniers has been productive, posting 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) over his last 10 contests. He had a goal and an assist in the loss to Utah. The most recent head-to-head meeting was a tight affair, with Seattle edging Pittsburgh 3-2 in overtime on Nov. 22. That result could add an extra layer of urgency for the Penguins in this rematch. Pittsburgh’s recent success has largely come at home, where they are 7-3-0 in their last 10 at PPG Paints Arena. Their road form has been less stable. Seattle, meanwhile, is in the midst of a lengthy homestand, seeking to improve on a 2-3-0 record in the first five games of this crucial stretch at Climate Pledge Arena. Both teams face challenging schedules ahead. Following this game, Pittsburgh embarks on a difficult three-game Western Canada road trip. Seattle continues its eight-game homestand with contests against the New York Islanders and Anaheim Ducks later in the week. The matchup pits Pittsburgh’s veteran core, led by Crosby, against Seattle’s younger, physical lineup. Goaltending and special teams, often decisive between evenly matched teams, will be critical. The Penguins will aim to start their road trip on a positive note, while the Kraken are desperate to turn their home ice into an advantage and climb back toward .500. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. PST.