Kraken and Canucks Open 2026 With Pressure, Injuries, and Points on the Line
As 2026 gets underway, the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks are set to meet once again, and this matchup already feels heavier than just another regular-season game. These two teams faced each other on the same date last year, and Vancouver walked away with a shootout win. Now, they’re back at Rogers Arena, both trying to steady their seasons and grab momentum heading deeper into January.
Seattle comes into this game with a 17-14-7 record, feeling fairly confident after a solid 4-1 road win against the Nashville Predators. That victory was built on structure, goaltending, and timely scoring, and it’s expected that Joey Daccord will get the start in goal as the Kraken continue their goaltending rotation. Philipp Grubauer played the night before, so the plan to alternate starts is being kept intact for a seventh straight game. The Kraken lineup looks balanced, with Matty Beniers centering the top line and captain Jordan Eberle continuing a strong run of form. Eberle, in particular, has historically enjoyed playing against Vancouver, and that trend has been noticed again heading into this matchup.
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Vancouver, meanwhile, enters with more urgency than confidence. Sitting at 16-20-3, the Canucks have struggled mightily on home ice, already piling up 12 regulation losses at Rogers Arena. Their most recent outing was a frustrating 6-3 loss to the Flyers, a game where a strong first period was wasted when pressure couldn’t be sustained. That inconsistency has become a theme, and it’s been reflected not just in the standings, but also in the atmosphere around the team, with fan frustration becoming increasingly visible.
Injuries have only added to Vancouver’s challenges. Conor Garland and Marco Rossi are expected to miss at least a week, forcing lineup adjustments and opening opportunities for players like Nils Höglander and Aatu Räty. Höglander, still searching for his first point of the season, could find himself elevated into a more prominent role, and this game might be his best chance yet to make an impact. Thatcher Demko is expected to lead things in net, with Kevin Lankinen backing up.
For Seattle, there were brief concerns when Jamie Oleksiak left the previous game after blocking a shot, but he returned and is expected to play, keeping the Kraken’s blue line intact. With both teams dealing with pressure in different ways, this game feels like a measuring stick. Vancouver is desperate to prove it can win at home, while Seattle is aiming to continue a steady push up the standings. One way or another, the tone for both teams’ 2026 campaigns is about to be set.
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