The Vancouver Canucks are reeling, dropping five of their last six. They'll get a chance at one of the teams that sent them spinning when they visit the Seattle Kraken tonight.
Seattle broke a five-game losing slide with a win over Vancouver and now has a modest two-game win streak.
Although Vancouver is still missing its top two point-getters, these teams tend to play a wide-open style. Our Canucks vs Kraken predictions and NHL picks on Thursday, January 2 like the lamp to get lit frequently.
One of the very best teams on the road this season, the Vancouver Canucks have hit their first legitimate skid away from Rogers Arena with four consecutive losses on the highway.
Their latest loss, a 3-1 defeat against the Calgary Flames, brought Vancouver's away record to 10-4-2 and dropped them to fifth in the Pacific, a point back of the final Wild Card.
Offense has been a challenge during this recent slide, as Vancouver is potting just 2.67 goals per game over its last six games, tied for the sixth-lowest output in the league. That's happened at the same time as their goaltending has been lit up, allowing 3.67 goals against, a Bottom-10 number.
There are no reinforcements on the way yet, leading scorers Quinn Hughes and forward Elias Pettersson aren't back until at least January 6 as they deal with undisclosed injuries.
The good news is that they're playing the Seattle Kraken, one of the teams looking up at Vancouver in the Pacific.
Seattle dumped Utah 5-2 last time out, just a game after ending a five-game losing skid by toppling these same Canucks 5-4 in overtime.
Seattle is one of the few teams that has given up more goals against than Vancouver over the last two weeks -- a round 4.0 goals against, tied for fifth-worst across the NHL.
That's the opening Vancouver needs to get back to scoring, as its 3.11 goals per game clip ranks 13th overall.
These two teams going head-to-head has been an Over bettor's dream, cashing nine times in the last 10. The only miss was a 5-1 Canucks win on Nov 24, 2023, a score that would still best Thursday's 5.5 line at Pinnacle.
Add in the fact that Seattle No. 1 goalie Joey Daccord likely won't be available tonight, and it only boosts the chances of a high-scoring game.
One team has scored at least five goals in nine of the last 10 matchups. There should be enough scoring to best that figure again.
In its last five games as a moneyline underdog, the Canucks are 2-3. They have lost five of their last six to the Kraken.
Despite their recent offensive struggles, the Canucks have hit the Over in three of their last four.
The Kraken have been a moneyline favorite just once in their last 10 games.