NHL Predictions: January 2nd, Seattle Kraken at Vancouver Canucks

Welcome back to another edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the Seattle Kraken taking on the Vancouver Canucks. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.

NHL Predictions: Seattle Kraken at Vancouver Canucks

Time: 10:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

How to Watch: SNP, KONG, KING 5, KHN/Prime, ESPN+, NHL Centre Ice

2025-2026 Season Series: Vancouver 1-0 Seattle

This matchup features a heated rivalry in the Pacific Division where both teams are outside of the playoff picture, looking for a much-improved 2026 portion of the season. The Kraken sit at 17-14-7 after 38 games, with 41 points, while the Canucks sit at 16-20-3 after 39 games, with 35 points. This marks the second of four meetings this season, with the Canucks having won the first game, 3-2 via shootout just a few days ago on December 29th.

The Kraken Story

The Kraken have had mixed results in the 2025 portion of the season. They started the season off strongly, but have faltered in the month of December and now sit outside of the playoff picture in the Western Conference. That said, their play as of late has been stronger, with a record of 5-0-1 in their last six games, with the only loss against their upcoming opponent, the Canucks. The Kraken are a low-scoring, but stingy hockey club, ranking last in the league in goals for, and eighth in the league in goals against. This is the brand of hockey they look to play. With a lack of top-end talent on their forward group, and there is no indication they will look to change their systems, given that they have won their fair share of games this season. Their key to winning, and ultimately making the playoffs will certainly be to strive for a more consistent game. Not be as hot and cold as they have been, thus far.

The Canucks Story

The Canucks are looking to start the new year on the right foot, after a 6-3 loss against former head coach Rick Tocchet and the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. Surprisingly, after the blockbuster trade that sent captain Quinn Hughes to Minnesota, the Canucks do have a winning record of 5-3-0. However, they have also lost three of the last four games. Their recent struggles can be attributed to the lack of top-end scoring. In the month of December, only four players have scored more than two goals in the thirteen games played, including Linus Karlsson (five), Kiefer Sherwood (four), Drew O’Connor (three), and Max Sasson (three). All four of those players play lower down the lineup. If the Canucks want to succeed in the coming year, the top six will need to play a much bigger role offensively. Brock Boeser, who notably struggled in the last month, with only one assist in thirteen games, is one such person fans have had their eye on in a negative way.

The team also has an abysmal home record of 4-12-1, a record that ranks among the worst point percentages in NHL history. Their anemic offence, combined with the third-worst goals-against-per-game rate in the league at 3.49, explains at least a portion of why this has been the case. Things need to improve, or Rogers Arena may find itself with lower attendance rates sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, the recent injuries to Conor Garland and Marco Rossi will not help whatsoever.