There is also the building. This is the Flames' final season at the Scotiabank Saddledome before the move to a new arena, and the club went into camp talking about creating buzz in the old barn one more time. Puck drop is 7:00 PM MT, and an opening-week crowd saying goodbye to the Dome is a real home-ice factor for a young team that needs a push.
The last time these two met in a game that counted, Seattle won 4-1 at home in April. That came during a finish where the Kraken beat Vegas and Calgary back to back and then closed the year losing 3 straight, scoring 1 goal against Vegas and none against Colorado. Calgary ended last season by beating Los Angeles 3-1, but the Flames scored only 1 goal in 3 of their final 5 games. Neither team spent spring lighting up scoreboards, and last April's rosters aren't the ones taking the ice here.
On the Seattle side, the names to watch are the core that's left. Vince Dunn and Brandon Montour were named alternate captains, Bobby McMann is back, and Berkly Catton centered Kaapo Kakko and Shane Wright in camp. That's plenty of skill, but it's young skill, and with Samoskevich out the line combinations are still being worked out. The preseason was shortened to 4 games, so neither coaching staff got a long look at its lineup.
These two also play again right away. The Kraken's home opener at Climate Pledge Arena on Sunday is against Calgary, so this is the first half of a home-and-home that opens both seasons. Whoever settles their lines faster gets a real edge heading into the rematch.