Canucks vs Kraken Prediction 1/2/26 NHL Picks Today

In this article we will formulate a Canucks vs Kraken prediction for this NHL game on Friday, January 2nd at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.

Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview

The Vancouver Canucks are 16-20-3 this season after they lost to Philadelphia by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Vancouver led 1-0 in the first period, but they allowed five of the next six goals and couldn’t recover for the loss. The Canucks out shot Philadelphia by a total of 35-33, won 43.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-4 on the power play in the game. Vancouver got goals from Kampf, O’Connor, and Willander, while Demko stopped 27 out of 31 shots, which was an .871 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Vancouver defeated the Kraken by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Sharks by a score of 6-3 before that. The Canucks have lost three of their last four games and they are currently last in the Pacific standings with 35 points. Vancouver has scored 2.77 goals per game and they have allowed 3.49 goals against per game, while also going 19.4% on the power play and 75.2% on the penalty kill this season. Elias Pettersson has led Vancouver with nine goals and 14 assists, while Filip Hronek has added two goals and 20 assists. The projected starting goalie for Vancouver is Thatcher Demko, who is 8-8-0 with a 2.72 goals against average and a .907 save percentage this season. 

Seattle Kraken Betting Preview

The Seattle Kraken are 17-14-7 this year after they defeated Nashville by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Seattle scored three goals in the first period and added an empty net goal in the third to seal the victory. The Kraken were out shot by a total of 25-23, won 46.7% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Seattle got goals from Beniers (2), McCann, and Oleksiak, while Grubauer stopped 24 out of 25 shots, which was a .960 save percentage. 

Prior to that game, Seattle lost to the Canucks by a score of 3-2, but did beat the Flyers by a score of 4-1 before that. The Kraken have won five of their last six games and they are currently fifth in the Pacific standings with 41 points. Seattle has scored 2.57 goals per game and they have allowed 2.89 goals against per game, while also going 20.7% on the power play and 71.7% on the penalty kill this season. Jordan Eberle has led Seattle with 14 goals and 12 assists, while Eeli Tolvanen has added seven goals and 18 assists. The projected starting goalie for Seattle is Joey Daccord, who is 10-9-5 with a 2.77 goals against average and a .904 save percentage this year. 

Why the Seattle Kraken will win

• The Canucks have lost each of their last four games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents.
• The road team has won nine of the Canucks’ last 10 games.
• The Canucks have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last 10 games as favorites.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in seven of the Canucks’ last nine games.
• The Canucks have lost the second period in each of their last six games when tied after the first period.

Total Goals Facts

• Each of the Canucks’ last six games as home favorites following a loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Canucks’ last nine home games against Western Conference opponents.

Vancouver Canucks Player Prop Facts

• Conor Garland has recorded at least one assist in four of the Canucks’ last five home games against Pacific Division opponents.
• Drew O’Connor has scored a goal in three of the Canucks’ last four games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Vancouver Canucks rank 31st in the league for goals against per game this season (3.49).
• The Vancouver Canucks rank 29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (75.19%).
• The Seattle Kraken rank 31st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (71.70%).
• The Seattle Kraken rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.57).

Canucks vs Kraken Prediction 

Seattle comes into this matchup as one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last two weeks, but they did just lose to Vancouver on the 29th. The Kraken are 8-7-3 on the road this year, while the Canucks are 4-12-1 at home. Vancouver has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed at least four goals in four of their last five. The Canucks are a disaster defensively, while Seattle has allowed two regulation goals or fewer in five straight games. Take Seattle to get another win here.