The Vancouver Canucks take on the Seattle Kraken in a Pacific Division contest featuring the leadership of Canucks’ new head coach Rick Tocchet. The late game on the NHL schedule today shows two teams trending in different directions.
The Kraken is having a successful second season. They are currently fighting for a playoff spot in the NHL standings. In contrast, the Canucks are going through a tough season. The team recently fired former head coach Bruce Boudreau hoping to light a spark. Based on previous Canucks vs Kraken scores, expect one of the hardest-fought NHL matchups of the night.
Canucks vs. Kraken Odds
Vancouver Canucks vs. Seattle Kraken Information
Vancouver Canucks vs Seattle Kraken
Date: Wednesday, January 25. 10:00 PM ET
Location of the game: Climate Pledge Area, Seattle, WA
Odds: Seattle Kraken (-192), Vancouver Canucks (+161)
Vancouver Canucks vs. Seattle Kraken Betting Preview
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks are going through one of the most challenging seasons in franchise history. They currently stand 12th in the Western Conference with an 18-25-3 record. Vancouver’s recent inconsistent play led team management to make a coaching change, hoping to turn the club’s season around. While the playoffs are all but out of reach, the Canucks are looking to salvage what they can as the trade deadline looms.
Vancouver Canucks has lost three of its last five games. Their previous game was a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak, featuring losses to top NHL clubs in the Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canucks’ 4-3 shootout win against the Carolina Hurricanes rounds out their last five matchups.
Regarding Vancouver Canucks stats, leading scorer Elias Petterson goes into tonight’s matchup with 56 points on the season. Team captain Bo Horvat leads the squad with 31 goals, and top defenseman Quinn Hughes is first on the club with 39 assists.
Backup goaltender Spencer Martin has taken the starting job from former number-one goalie Thatcher Demko. Martin is looking to build on his 11-12-1 mark this season to go with his 3.86 goals against average, and .877 save percentage. The Canucks show defenseman Ethan Bear and winger William Lockwood on the NHL injury report before tonight’s game
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken’s second year in the NHL has been a huge contrast compared to their inaugural season. The Seattle Kraken sit third in the Pacific Division and fifth in the Western Conference with a 27-14-5 record. However, Seattle has been consistent all year, averaging 3.61 goals per game while allowing 3.09 goals to their opponents.
This matchup against Vancouver marks an interesting point in the Seattle Kraken schedule. The team has lost three of its last five, with their previous game a 2-1 shootout loss against the Avalanche. After blowing out the Blackhawks 8-5 on January 14, the Kraken lost back-to-back games against the Oilers and Lightning. While Seattle beat New Jersey 4-3 in overtime, their loss against the Avalanche still stings.
As for NHL player stats, Andre Burakovsky leads the Kraken in scoring with 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points, and Jared McCann tops the squad in goals with 22. Seattle’s goaltending has been the big story for most of the season, as starter Phillip Grabaeur is going through a down year.
However, his backup, veteran Martin Jones, has had a resurgent season. He is 22-6-3, with a 2.84 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. Jones has kept the Kraken in games all year and has played a vital role in the Kraken’s playoff aspirations.
The Kraken’s NHL stats show the team sporting a 20.3% power play percentage and 70.5% on the penalty kill. However, these modest totals will have to improve if the Kraken expects to hold off the Oilers for the third spot in the Pacific Division.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Seattle Kraken Pick and Prediction
At -192 moneyline favorites, the Kraken are among the top NHL picks today as they head toward their first playoff appearance in franchise history. At +161 moneyline underdogs, the NHL odds are stacked against the Canucks. However, the hiring of a new coach should spark the Canucks to bring their A-game and alter the history of Canucks vs Kraken scores.
Ultimately, the Kraken have been playing well all year. They will spoil Tocchet’s debut with a solid all-around performance. In looking at the Canucks vs Kraken scores, the Kraken are one of tonight’s best NHL picks.
Final Score Prediction: Seattle 4, Vancouver 2
Pick: Seattle (-192) and under 6.5 goals.
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