Las Vegas wasn't your typical expansion team. The Golden Knights were good right away. Seattle isn't typical either. The Kraken aren't going to reach the lofty heights the Golden Knights did during their first couple of seasons, but they will be competitive. That's because the Kraken went for defense and goaltending. 

Seattle is going to play a conservative, defensive style. The Kraken have the veteran players to do this starting with defenseman and team captain Mark Giordano and goalie Philipp Graubauer, a finalist for the Vezina Trophy last season when he was with Colorado. 

The Kraken shut out Vancouver, 4-0, in their final preseason game last Tuesday. 

The Golden Knights ended last season losing in six games to the Canadiens in the Stanley Cup semifinals producing only 13 goals in those six games while going 0-for-15 in power play opportunities. Robin Lehner teamed with Marc-Andre Fleury to allow the fewest goals last season.

Lehner takes over as the undisputed No. 1 goalie following Fleury's departure to the Blackhawks. Lehner and Graubauer are among the top goalies in the NHL.

Depth at forward is down for both teams because of injuries and COVID-19 protocols. Las Vegas had just 10 forwards during its last practice. 
So I'm expecting a tight-checking, low-scoring opening game.