Kraken And Ducks Clash In Pivotal Western Conference Battle

The Honda Center in Anaheim was buzzing with anticipation on February 3, 2026, as the Anaheim Ducks prepared to host the Seattle Kraken in a Western Conference showdown that had more than just two points on the line. Both teams entered the contest tied with 61 points apiece, with the Kraken sitting seventh and the Ducks just behind in eighth. The stakes? A crucial jostle for playoff positioning as the NHL season barrels toward its final stretch.

Fans tuning in on TNT or lucky enough to snag tickets on StubHub knew they were in for a treat. The season series had been tight, with Seattle leading 2-1 before puck drop, but the Ducks had the upper hand in their most recent clash—a 4-2 victory at Climate Pledge Arena on January 23. That night, Anaheim’s Cutter Gauthier and Pavel Mintyukov each notched a goal and an assist, helping the Ducks double up the Kraken and cash the under for the third straight meeting between these rivals.

Both squads entered Tuesday’s matchup riding waves of momentum. The Kraken were fresh off a gritty 2-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, a contest that saw right winger Kaapo Kakko net the game-winner in the third period and goaltender Joey Daccord turn aside 27 shots. That victory marked Seattle’s fourth straight, matching their season-high winning streak and boasting an impressive 4.3 goals per game during the run. The over had hit in two of those four games, with one push, showing the offensive spark the Kraken had found of late.

The Ducks, meanwhile, had just edged out the Golden Knights 4-3 at home, with left winger Chris Kreider lighting the lamp twice and finishing with a plus-3 rating. Anaheim’s recent form had been even hotter—an 8-2-0 record over their last ten games, with the over cashing in three of their last four outings. Talk about teams heating up at the right time!

Yet, the pregame chatter wasn’t just about streaks and stats. Injuries loomed large for both sides. The Ducks were missing key contributors: goaltender Petr Mrazek (lower body), forward Leo Carlsson (thigh), and Frank Vatrano (shoulder) were all sidelined. The Kraken weren’t spared either, with Matt Murray (lower body), Berkly Catton (upper body), and Ben Meyers (lower body) unavailable for action. Depth would be tested, and fans wondered how each bench boss would respond.

Between the pipes, the projected goaltending matchup promised intrigue. Seattle’s Philipp Grubauer, sporting an 11-5-3 record, 2.34 goals-against average (GAA), and a .918 save percentage, had been stellar 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: a 5-2-2 record, 2.21 GAA, and .921 save percentage in nine starts. On the other side, Anaheim’s Lukas Dostal entered with a 20-13-2 record, a 2.97 GAA, and an .896 save percentage. Dostal had allowed three or fewer goals in eight consecutive starts since January 13, including a 31-save performance in the Ducks’ 4-3 win over Vegas.

Offensively, Cutter Gauthier continued to make headlines for Anaheim. Through 54 games, the young winger had tallied 24 goals and 24 assists for 48 points—an impressive 0.89 points-per-game pace. For Seattle, Matthew Beniers was a key playmaker, notching 14 goals and 23 assists in 54 games for a total of 37 points. These rising stars were expected to play pivotal roles as their teams vied for a postseason berth.

Betting lines reflected the razor-thin margin 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 puck line favored Seattle at +1.5 (-210 to -220), while Anaheim backers could snag -1.5 at +175 or +180. Oddsmakers set the over/under at 6.5 goals, with the under slightly favored at -115. History suggested a tight, low-scoring affair: the under had cashed in all three previous meetings this season, with just 14 total goals (an average of 4.7 per game), and in seven of the last ten head-to-head matchups.

“Both of these teams are playing good hockey lately, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see these teams perhaps face each other in the playoffs if they can finish the season strong,” wrote SportsbookWire’s Dan Dobish in his pregame analysis. He leaned Anaheim, citing home-ice advantage and Dostal’s steady play, but cautioned that the margin would be slim. His prediction? Ducks 3, Kraken 2.

For those who enjoy a flutter, the advice was clear: “UNDER 6.5 (-115) might be the best play on the board. The Under has cashed in all 3 meetings this season, with a total of 14 goals in the 3-game span, or 4.7 GPG. The Under is 7-3 across the past 10 meetings in this series, too. Both Grubauer and Dostal are playing well, so that factors in heavily, too.”

As the teams took the ice, the atmosphere was electric. Every shift mattered, every save drew a roar, and every rush up the ice had fans on the edge of their seats. The Ducks, eager to defend home ice and leapfrog Seattle in the standings, leaned on their depth and physicality. The Kraken, undaunted by the hostile crowd, continued their aggressive forecheck and looked to Grubauer to keep them in the hunt.

Midway through the game, the contest remained a chess match. Both goaltenders flashed the leather on high-danger chances, and the penalty kill units were up to the task. Gauthier and Beniers each had moments of brilliance, weaving through defenders and generating quality looks, but the scoreboard remained tight as predicted.

With the playoff race heating up and both teams hungry for every point, it was clear that this matchup could have lasting implications for the Western Conference postseason picture. Would the Ducks’ home-ice advantage and recent hot streak propel them forward, or would the Kraken’s resilience and balanced attack help them maintain their edge in the season series?

As of press time, the action at Honda Center was ongoing, with both squads locked in a tense battle for conference supremacy. Fans across the league will be watching closely to see which team emerges with a crucial win—and perhaps a psychological edge—heading into the final months of the NHL campaign.