The Seattle Kraken (26-19-9) and Anaheim Ducks (29-23-3) will face off Tuesday in an important matchup with significant playoff implications. Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. EST at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
The Ducks are priced at +170 to cover the puck line (-1.5), with the over/under set at 6.5 (O -105 /U -115). The Ducks are priced at -135 to win outright, while the Kraken are priced at +115 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Kraken vs. Ducks predictions and NHL picks.
Kraken vs. Ducks Odds, Pick
| Kraken Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -190 | 6.5 -105o / -119u | +126 |
| Ducks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +155 | 6.5 -105o / -119u | -153 |
- Kraken vs. Ducks Spread: Ducks -1.5 (+170), Kraken +1.5 (205)
- Kraken vs. Ducks Over/Under: 6.5 (O -0105 /U -115)
- Kraken vs. Ducks Moneyline: Kraken +115, Ducks -135
Kraken vs. Ducks Preview
Seattle Kraken
After losing 4-2 to the Ducks on home ice on January 23rd, the Kraken have rattled off four consecutive wins, by a combined margin of 17 to 7. In three of the four wins, the Kraken have looked to be deserving winners and have me reevaluating my belief that the Kraken were a fraudulent team that likely would not be sniffing the playoffs if not for playing out of the NHL's softest division.
Thanks to their current heater, the Kraken are tied at 61 points with the Ducks, but hold the tiebreaker entering this matchup, having played one less game.
Over the last ten games, the Kraken still hold an expected goal share of 45.56% and have generated only 2.30 xGF/60 in that span at even strength. They have held a shooting percentage of 12.5% in that span, despite the fact that the underlying metrics suggest their shot locations and quantity are below average.
The Kraken's greatest flaw over the last two seasons and throughout the history of the franchise has been the lack of a true star forward. Even though the coaching staff has been surprisingly reluctant to offer him top minutes over the last two seasons, Jared McCann is the closest thing the team has, and McCann has come on strong since the turn of the New Year with 10 goals and 20 points over the last 17 games.
The Kraken's top line of McCann, Jordan Eberle and Matty Beniers holds a 60% expected goal share and has outscored opponents 12 to 6 this season. The trio has combined for 19 points over the last five games and is performing like a truly formidable top line.
The Kraken's power play has succeeded on 23.6% of opportunities over the last ten games, which has helped to cover up for their modest control of the play at even strength.
Head coach Lane Lambert continues to be married to the idea of offering Chandler Stephenson the toughest defensive assignments, as was the case with former head coach Dan Bylsma. It seems as though the entire organization is unwilling to accept that they overpaid when signing Stephenson last summer, and his continued usage in tough defensive assignments remains a disaster, as the majority of units led by Stephenson have been drastically outplayed this season.
Joey Daccord is expected to get the start in goal for the Kraken in this matchup. Daccord holds a .903 save percentage and 2.83 GAA throughout 32 appearances this season, as well as a +1.0 GSAx rating.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks have played to an impressive record of 8-2-0 over the last ten games, despite spending the majority of that time playing without several impact skaters such as top center Leo Carlsson, Troy Terry, Frank Vatrano, Cutter Gauthier and Mason McTavish.
Forwards Tim Washe and Jeffrey Viel fared surprisingly well in that span to help the team tread water, while goaltender Lukas Dostal has returned to form and is once again looking like one of the league's top netminders, as was the case early on this season and throughout the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign.
Terry and McTavish are now healthy and returned to the lineup last week, so while the Ducks are still without their top forward in Carlsson, they are now offering closer to their "A" lineup.
Over the last ten games, the Ducks hold an expected goal share of 48.69% and have allowed 3.51 xGA/60. Their roster composition suggests that they are never likely to be a defensive juggernaut, but their defensive play has been closer to league average recently than it was throughout the majority of the last two seasons, which potentially comes down to a different stylistic mindset with several of their more skilled offensive skaters missing from the lineup.
Head coach Joel Quenneville remains unconvinced that Gauthier's goal-scoring upside means he is worthy of a role inside the top-six, but despite skating mainly on the third line at even strength, Gauthier has put up eight points over the last eight games and registered 4.12 shots on goal per game in that span.
Over the last eight games, Gauthier has also attempted seven shots per game. That's no surprise, as the sophomore has attempted 25.05 shots per 60 this season, which is the highest mark in the NHL. While he's not currently inside the top six, he is still the primary shooting option on the Ducks' top power play unit, which has been highly effective in succeeding on 27.3% of opportunities since Gauthier's return to the lineup.
Given the importance of this game, it would be shocking if Dostal does not get the start, though he has not yet been confirmed as the Ducks' starter. Dostal holds a +2.6 GSAx rating and an .897 save percentage in 37 appearances this season, but holds a .919 save percentage over his last ten games and has seemingly trended back into top form.
Kraken vs. Ducks Prediction
The Kraken opened at +125 to win this matchup but has ticked down to +115 at the time of writing, which seems to be a fair price.
Neither side looks to be an overly appealing bet to me, but some skaters look appealing from a prop betting perspective. Bet365 is offering an outlier price of +125 for Gauthier to record over 3.5 shots on goal, which is my favorite play out of the options available on larger regulated sportsbooks.
Gauthier has recorded over 3.5 shots on goal in seven of his last ten games played, and one of the three games in which he failed to record four shots came when he played just 8:54, having seemingly returned from illness too early. His current role at even strength is a concern, but it's a livable one given the price of +125 and the amount of shot attempts Gauthier has poured on goal recently.
If you are unable to back Gauthier to record over 3.5 shots on goal at +115 or better, I would pivot to backing McCann to record over 2.5 shots on goal at +100. McCann is the best goalscorer on the team on the Kraken by a margin, and as the power play and top line have started to play more effectively, he's been getting more chances during his current heater.
Pick: Cutter Gauthier Over 3.5 Shots on Goal +125 (Bet365, Play to +115)
