The Seattle Kraken will host the Montreal Canadiens at Climate Pledge Arena tonight, March 12, 2025, with puck drop set for 10:30 p.m. ET. The Kraken, coming off of a tough 4-2 defeat to Washington, holds a season record of 27 wins, 34 losses, and 4 overtime losses. Meanwhile, the Canadiens are riding high after their recent 4-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks, improving their record to 31-27-6 as they push for playoff positioning.
Tonight's matchup features two teams on different trajectories. The Kraken, currently underperforming, will look to improve their home record of 14 wins, 15 losses, and 4 overtime losses. On the other hand, the Canadiens, just shy of the playoff line, aim to capitalize on their momentum from their recent victory.
Betting odds see the Kraken favored at -147 on the moneyline, with the Canadiens set at +123, making them the underdogs on the road. The spread favors the Kraken at -1.5, with the total goals set at 6. Recent predictions hint at a tight contest, with betting traffic leaning slightly toward the Kraken.
Key players to watch this evening include Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes, who will be making his first career start against the Kraken. It is expected he will face considerable pressure as the Kraken have demonstrated the ability to dominate shot totals throughout recent outings.
Dobes has shown promising numbers this season, boasting a save percentage of .913 and 2.49 goals against average (GAA). The Canadiens rely heavily on him especially considering the challenging back-to-back schedule they face this week. "Montreal is hitting the ice for the second leg of back-to-back road games, and this is the final stop on their four-game road trip" suggests experts familiar with the team dynamics.
Another significant player for the Canadiens is Nick Suzuki, who leads the team with 67 points. He is well supported by fellow forwards Cole Caufield and Juraj Slafkovsky, who each have been impactful contributors this season. Slafkovsky is particularly on the verge of reaching a milestone, just two points shy of 100 career points. Their chemistry on ice was on full display during the recent Vancouver game, where the trio combined for seven points.
Conversely, the Kraken will be putting their faith in starting goaltender Joey Daccord, who has been equally effective at home, posting a .912 save percentage and 2.49 GAA over the past two seasons. Daccord holds personal success against Montreal, having achieved a career 1.86 GAA and .932 save percentage during his matchups against them.
Differences on both ends are stark, highlighting Montreal’s struggles with their average of 43.5 Corsi For percentage, ranking them at 31st post the 4 Nations Face-Off break. Seattle shines comparatively with their Corsi For percentage sitting at eighth with 52.0. The Kraken also average 29.4 shots per game, displaying offensive strength as they attempt to capitalize on their home-ice advantage.
Expectations for this game are heightened, with analysts predicting it might be another tight hockey game, lining up closely with the Kraken’s track record at home, as they often edge out opponents by narrow margins. Historical head-to-head records show Montreal at 3-3-1 against Seattle, with both teams each averaging around 2.93 goals per game.
For hockey fans, this matchup not only promises action-packed entertainment but showcases key moments within the respective teams' seasons as they jockey for improved standings. Kraken and Canadiens supporters alike will be eager for updates as the game approach its conclusion.
Betting insights suggest Krakens to take the victory being tipped to win 3-1, but many caution against underestimators of the Canadiens' capacity to contend. The collective efforts of players like Suzuki and strong goaltending from Dobes could very well surprise critics.