Seattle Kraken vs. Vancouver Canucks Pick and Prediction for Friday January 2 2026
The Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks are set for a Pacific Division rematch at Rogers Arena on Friday at 10:30 PM ET. These two teams met just days ago on December 29, with Vancouver edging out a 3-2 shootout victory.
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Seattle (16-14-7, 8-7-3 Away) enters looking to snap the Canucks' recent hex over them, while Vancouver (16-20-3, 4-12-1 Home) desperately needs to fix their league-worst home record. The Canucks are currently listed as heavy -205 moneyline favorites, with the total set at 5.5 goals. Check out more free NHL picks at Winners and Whiners.
Kraken looking for road redemption
Seattle has been a road warrior this season, but they are looking to find their scoring touch after a narrow shootout loss to these same Canucks earlier this week. The Kraken's calling card is their defensive structure, allowing only 2.89 goals per game, but they will need more from their forward group to keep pace in a hostile environment tonight.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Tony Karpinski | +2,494.00 |
| 2 |  Joe Duffy | +1,859.00 |
| 3 |  The Insiders Room | +1,788.00 |
| 4 |  Mark Ruelle | +1,428.00 |
| 5 |  Jackie Mack | +1,400.00 |
Jordan Eberle remains the heartbeat of the Seattle offense, leading the team in both goals (14) and total points (25).2 He is supported by Eeli Tolvanen, who has been the team's primary distributor with 18 assists.3 The Kraken’s special teams will be a focus tonight; while their power play is serviceable at 20.7%, their penalty kill has struggled at 71.7%, which could be a liability against Vancouver's skilled top unit.
In net, Joey Daccord is the projected starter.4 Daccord has been reliable with a 2.77 GAA and a .904 save percentage. He was excellent in the previous meeting against Vancouver, stopping 37 of 39 shots, and he will need a similar performance tonight to overcome a Vancouver team that historically plays better in front of their own fans.
Canucks navigating life after Hughes
Vancouver enters 2026 in the midst of a significant "hybrid retool." Following the blockbuster trade of captain Quinn Hughes to Minnesota on December 12, the team has leaned heavily on Elias Pettersson, who leads the current roster with 23 points (9G, 14A). Interestingly, the traded Quinn Hughes technically still shares the team lead with 21 assists, a testament to the void he left on the blue line.6
The scoring load has shifted to Kiefer Sherwood, who has been a revelation this season. Sherwood leads the Canucks with 16 goals, including 5 on the power play. Vancouver is currently dealing with a massive injury bug, however, as Marco Rossi (acquired in the Hughes trade), Conor Garland, and Teddy Blueger are all expected to be out until mid-January. This has forced defenseman Filip Hronek and young Zeev Buium to take on massive roles.
Thatcher Demko is expected to get the nod in goal. Demko has a 2.72 GAA and a .907 save percentage and is coming off a massive 6-3 win over Philadelphia where he looked back to his Vezina-caliber self.7 If Demko can hold the fort while the Canucks' patchwork defense finds its footing, Vancouver has the offensive talent to outlast the Kraken.
Moneyline pick for Kraken vs. Canucks
- Seattle Kraken ML (+170)
While the odds heavily favor Vancouver, the value lies with the Kraken. Vancouver has a dismal 4-12-1 record at home and is currently missing four key forwards due to injury.8 Seattle is much healthier and plays a disciplined road game that frustrates teams in transition. Given that their last meeting was a coin-flip shootout, getting Seattle at +170 against a shorthanded Canucks team is the best value play on the board.
Total pick for Kraken vs. Canucks
- Under 5.5 (+105)
Recent history suggests a tight, low-scoring affair. The last two meetings between these teams have both gone under the total (3-2 and 4-2 scores). With Vancouver’s top-six forwards depleted by injuries and Seattle playing a conservative road system, expect both Daccord and Demko to dominate the game. This has the feel of a 2-1 or 3-2 grind that stays under the 5.5-goal line.
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