Top Kraken Takeaways From Seattle’s Home Win Over New Jersey, January 25th, 2026
By Miracle Lucketti, edited by Charles Hamaker
Seattle, WA - All season, our Seattle Kraken have discussed the importance of a strong start and playing a full 60 minutes. Too often, they find themselves chasing the game from puck drop, but on Sunday’s matinee matchup against the New Jersey Devils, that wasn’t the case.
The Kraken looked more cohesive than we’ve seen in the last few games and managed to shut down several plays and shot attempts from (what appeared to be) a confused New Jersey team early on, allowing the Cryptid Cup to return home to Seattle.
Here are three takeaways from the matchup.
Seattle Kraken forward Jacob Melanson throughout the teams 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
Jacob Melanson makes a BIG Impact
I’m not saying Jacob Melanson will fix the Kraken, but I am saying they’re a different team when he’s on the ice. Melanson brings a physicality the team has lacked for a long time, and he’s certainly not afraid to throw his weight around. With just 16 games played this season, Melanson ranks third among all Kraken players in total hits, with 75. He also set a team record for most hits in a single game, registering 10 on January 23rd against the Anaheim Ducks.
Melanson brings the energy, and with his 7 hits in this matchup against the Devils, it’s clear that he’s not planning on slowing down anytime soon. He knows where he needs to be on the ice and is more often than not able to get there. He clearly brings something to the room that players (and fans) respond to, and I think I speak for all of us when I say we’re excited to see him keep developing.
Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord throughout the team’s 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
A Strong Start AND a Strong Finish
As already stated, the Kraken have spoken extensively about the importance of starting out games strong and not chasing a lead from the jump. This game showed them doing just that. The first two periods were intense, each team fighting for every inch of that ice – literally, as Ryan Lindgren and Dawson Mercer got into a scuffle over Lindgren’s hit on Ondrej Palat ten-ish minutes into the first period. The Kraken did a great job keeping the puck away from New Jersey’s most dangerous players and managed to make it through the first with only one goal against.
The third period, though, was really where the Kraken shone. Matty Beniers scored a ridiculous goal (with an “outrageous celly,” according to netminder Joey Daccord). Just 17 seconds later, Berkly Catton added a goal of his own. It turned out to be the game-winner.
“We put a puck to the net. Good things happen when you put pucks to the net.”
Seattle Kraken skaters Ryan Winterton, Ryker Evans, Freddy Gaudreau, and Jacob Melanson celebrate a goal during the teams 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, January 25th, 2026, at Climate Pledge Arena. (Photos by Bryant Garduque for Circling Seattle Sports)
Fourth Line Frenzy
The kids are, truly, alright. I’ve been a fan of this “fourth line” for months and have sung their praises. The line, composed of Jacob Melanson, Ryan Winterton, Ben Myers, and occasionally Freddy Gaudreau, blends fresh, youthful eyes with veteran presence. Tonight, Melanson and Winterton showcased their abilities together by annoying Devils’ netminder Jacob Markstrom and taking away his eyeline. It was just enough for Ryker Evans to shoot a puck that trickled in behind Markstrom, tying the game at one.
This fourth line has been a game-changer several times for an often sluggish Kraken team, and it’s nice to see the young players putting all the knowledge and hard work they learned from Kraken AHL affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds to good use in the NHL.
“They’ve been great for us all year, getting in there and obviously forechecking hard.”
Overall, this game was a solid showing for a recently skidding Kraken team. They showed up and played as a team, managing to defeat the Devils - and maybe even more importantly, those third jerseys.
What’s next?
As of Sunday, the Kraken are tied with the San Jose Sharks and the Los Angeles Kings at 55 points. They face the Washington Capitals on Tuesday at Climate Pledge Arena, and those two points are crucial. With just five games left before the Olympic break, the Kraken are going to need to bank as many points as possible if they want to secure that wildcard spot.
Tuesday night’s game is also blueliner Brandon Montour’s bobblehead giveaway night! The first 10,000 fans will leave with a DJ Monty bobblehead, so make sure to get there early.
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Check out our previous Seattle Kraken articles here.
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