On February 3, 2026, the Honda Center in Anaheim was buzzing with anticipation as the Anaheim Ducks prepared to take on the Seattle Kraken in a Western Conference showdown with just over two points on the line. Both teams entered the tournament tied with 61 points, with the Kraken in seventh place and the Ducks right behind them in eighth place. What’s the stake? As the NHL season draws to a close, this is an important battle that will determine the playoff standings.
Fans who tuned in to TNT or were lucky enough to get tickets on StubHub knew what they were in for. The season series was close, with Seattle leading 2-1 before puck drop, but the Ducks had the upper hand in the most recent matchup, winning 4-2 on Jan. 23 at Climate Pledge Arena. Anaheim’s Kutter Gauthier and Pavel Minchukov each had a goal and an assist that night, helping the Ducks double over the Kraken and earn the under in the third straight meeting between these rivals.
Both teams entered Tuesday’s matchup with momentum. The Kraken had just won 2-1 against the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Right wing Kaapo Kakko scored the winning goal in the third period, and goaltender Joey Daccord had 27 shots. The victory marked Seattle’s fourth straight win, tying its best streak in a season and scoring an impressive 4.3 goals per game over the span. In two of those four games, Ober was a one-push hit, showing the offensive brilliance the Kraken have found recently.
Meanwhile, the Ducks just defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 at home, with left wing Chris Kreider lighting the lamp twice and finishing with a plus-3 rating. Anaheim’s form has been even better of late, with an 8-2-0 record in their last 10 games and overcash in three of their last four. Talk about a team heating up at the right time.
But the pregame conversation wasn’t just about records and statistics. The wounded loomed large on both sides. The Ducks were missing key players. Goalkeeper Petr Mrazek (lower body) and forwards Leo Karlsson (thigh) and Frank Vatrano (shoulder) were all sidelined. The Kraken was not spared either, with Matt Murray (lower body), Barkley Catton (upper body) and Ben Myers (lower body) incapacitated. Depth will be tested and fans wondered how each bench boss would react.
Between the pipes, the expected goalie matchup promised intrigue. Seattle’s Philipp Grubauer is 11-5-3 with a 2.34 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .918 save percentage, and has been great in his most recent start, allowing just one goal on 20 shots in a 5-1 win over the Washington Capitals. His January numbers were even more impressive, posting a 5-2-2 record, 2.21 GAA, and .921 save percentage in nine starts. Anaheim’s Lucas Dostal, on the other hand, entered the game with a record of 20 wins, 13 losses, and 2 draws, a 2.97 GAA, and a save percentage of .896. Dostal has allowed three or fewer points in eight consecutive starts since Jan. 13, including a 31-save performance in the Ducks’ 4-3 win over Las Vegas.
Offensively, Cutter Gauthier continued to turn heads in Anaheim. The young winger had 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points in 54 games. This is an incredible pace of 0.89 points per game. Matthew Veniers was a key playmaker for Seattle, posting 14 goals and 23 assists for 37 points in 54 games. These rising stars were expected to play pivotal roles as the team competed for a postseason spot.
The betting lines reflected the very thin margins between these teams. The Ducks were modest favorites at -135 on the moneyline, while the Kraken were listed at +110 or +115 depending on the book. The pack line was +1.5 (-210 to -220) in Seattle’s favor, but Anaheim supporters could be at -1.5 at +175 or +180. Oddsmakers set the over/under at 6.5 goals, with the under slightly favored at -115. As history shows, it was a close game with few points scored. Under has scored in all three games so far this season, totaling just 14 goals (4.7 average per game) and scoring in seven of the last 10 head-to-head games.
“Both teams have been playing good hockey lately, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them potentially meet in the playoffs if they can finish the season on a strong note,” Sportsbook Wire’s Dan Dobisch wrote in his pregame analysis. He favored Anaheim because of home-ice advantage and Dostal’s consistent play, but warned that the margin would be close. What is his prophecy? Duck 3, Kraken 2.
“The Under 6.5 (-115) may be the best play on the board. The Under has scored in all three games this season, scoring 14 goals in three games, or 4.7 GPG. The Under is also 7-3 in the past 10 games in this series. It’s a loss. Both Grubauer and Dostal are playing well, so that has a lot to do with it.” The advice was clear for those who enjoy being fluffy.
Once the teams took to the ice, the atmosphere was exciting. Every shift mattered, every save elicited a roar and every run up the ice had fans on the edge of their seats. Hoping to protect home ice and jump ahead of Seattle in the standings, the Ducks relied on their depth and physicality. Undaunted by the hostile crowd, Kraken continued his aggressive forecheck and turned to Grubauer to continue his pursuit.
Even in the middle of the game, the contest remained a chess match. Both goaltenders did a great job of scoring on dangerous chances, and the penalty kill unit was up to the task. Gauthier and Benier each had moments of brilliance, making great plays as they weaved their way through defenders, but as expected, the scoreboard remained grim.
With the playoff race heating up and both teams looking for points, it was clear that this matchup could have a lasting impact on the overall picture of the Western Conference postseason. Will the Ducks’ home ice advantage and recent strong performance propel them forward, or will the Kraken’s resilience and balanced attack help them maintain their dominance in the season series?
At the time of writing, the battle at Honda Center was underway, with both teams locked in a tense battle for conference supremacy. Heading into the final months of the NHL campaign, fans around the league will be watching to see which team emerges with an important win and perhaps a psychological edge.