Welcome to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers at Last Word On Hockey break down the slate using matchup context, recent form, and underlying data analytics to project likely outcomes. This edition of NHL Predictions focuses on the Anaheim Ducks Pacific Northwest visit to Seattle to take on the Kraken. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions throughout the 2025–26 season.
NHL Predictions: Anaheim Ducks vs Seattle Kraken
2025–26 Season Series: Seattle leads 2–0
Time: 10:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST); 7:00 p.m. PST
How to Watch – US TV: KHN / Prime, Victory+, KONG, KCOP-13, ESPN+ | Canada TV: SN+
Location: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington
Setting the Stage
Anaheim arrives in Seattle riding a five-game winning streak, most recently grinding out a 2–1 shootout win in Colorado that leaned heavily on elite goaltending. At 26–21–3, the Ducks have quietly stabilized after a prolonged, mid-season collapse, and their recent results have come without needing high-event offence. Instead, Anaheim has tightened its neutral-zone play and reduced high danger area breakdowns.
Seattle enters at 22–18–9 after snapping a four-game skid with a convincing 4–1 win over the Islanders. The Kraken remain firmly in the Western Conference Stanley Cup Playoff Wild Card mix, but their season has oscillated between strong territorial play and long stretches where finishing deserts them. With the season series already tilted in their favour, Seattle has an opportunity to reinforce a matchup edge that has largely been driven by stout goaltending.
Anaheim Ducks Storyline
Anaheim’s current run is built almost entirely on structure and goaltending. Over the past two weeks, the Ducks have reduced defensive-zone chaos, allowing Lukas Dostal cleaner sightlines even when volume creeps upward. That approach held again in Denver, where Anaheim spent long stretches without the puck but avoided the kind of east–west breakdowns that plagued them earlier in the season.
Offensively, the Ducks remain opportunistic rather than overwhelming. Cutter Gauthier continues to drive individual offence through speed and inside positioning, while Beckett Sennecke’s growth around the net has added a secondary layer of scoring depth. However, Anaheim still ranks near the bottom of the league in power play efficiency, and sustained offence remains difficult when the game opens up. As a result, the Ducks’ success remains tightly linked to game control and discipline.
Anaheim goal!Scored by Jeffrey Viel with 18:33 remaining in the 2nd period.Assisted by Cutter Gauthier.Colorado: 0Anaheim: 1#ANAvsCOL #GoAvsGo #FlyTogether
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T03:19:57.077066Z
Seattle Kraken Storyline
Seattle’s identity remains clear. The Kraken want pace through the neutral zone, layered pressure below the goal line, and steady involvement from their defence. Vince Dunn’s activation continues to be a catalyst, and his recent production highlights how often Seattle’s offence flows from the blueline rather than purely from the forwards.
At five-on-five, Seattle holds meaningful advantages in shot share and territorial play, particularly against teams that sit back. The challenge has been translating that control into separation on the scoreboard. Goaltending has been adequate rather than dominant, and when Seattle fails to build an early lead, games tend to compress. Against an Anaheim team that is now comfortable playing low-event hockey, Seattle must convert possession into interior chances rather than settling for volume from the outside.
Seattle goal!Scored by Kaapo Kakko with 03:32 remaining in the 2nd period.Assisted by Jaden Schwartz.Seattle: 3New York: 1#NYIvsSEA #SeaKraken #Isles
— NHL Goals (@nhlgoals.bsky.social) 2026-01-22T04:27:58.867977Z
The Prediction Model
The blended model simulates this matchup 10,000 times using four evenly weighted inputs. The in-house model views this game as near-even, giving Seattle a modest edge based on five-on-five shot quality and special-teams separation. HockeyStats projects the matchup as a true coin flip, with both teams landing at 50 percent due to similar projected goal totals. MoneyPuck leans slightly toward Seattle at 57.5 percent, driven by territorial metrics and Anaheim’s limited finishing profile. After blending all sources, Seattle lands at 54.5 percent with fair odds around −120. Anaheim checks in at 45.5 percent, placing current market prices close to model consensus.
NHL Prediction
This matchup profiles as another tight, low-event contest. Anaheim is comfortable allowing shot volume as long as it stays to the perimeter, while Seattle prefers to tilt the ice without necessarily trading chances. The difference likely comes down to whether the Kraken can convert sustained zone time into high-danger looks before frustration sets in. Anaheim has proven it can survive long stretches without the puck, but asking Dostal to repeat a high-volume performance on short rest remains a risk. Seattle’s depth and familiarity with this matchup give them a slight edge at home.
Prediction: Kraken win 3–2 (Model Probability: 54.5%)
2025–26 Season Prediction Record: 11-10
Prop Bets of the Night
Cutter Gauthier over 0.5 points (+105) remains a strong look, as his individual involvement continues to climb, especially with injuries to Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, and Mason McTavish. On the Kraken side, Jared McCann over 0.5 points (-125) offers value given his consistent top-line deployment and involvement on the first power-play unit. Anaheim’s penalty kill has improved, but McCann’s touch volume and finishing role give him scoring equity even in a compressed game.
2025–26 Season Prop Bet Record: 23–22 (+4.78 units)
Lineup disclaimer: Projected lineups and starting goaltenders are based on available information at the time of writing. Please check official team sources prior to placing any wagers.
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Main Photo: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images