The Washington Capitals (25-21-7) face the Seattle Kraken (23-19-9) in an inter-conference matchup as the Capitals wrap up a Western road trip against a Kraken team fighting for playoff positioning in the Pacific Division. Washington, sitting fifth in the Metropolitan with 57 points, has been resilient but inconsistent away from home, while Seattle holds fourth in the Pacific with 55 points, relying on strong goaltending amid injuries. This game could hinge on special teams and defensive play, with potential for a low-scoring battle given recent trends and goaltender matchups.
Venue Location
The game will be held at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. This 17,100-capacity arena has been the Kraken’s home since their inception in 2021 and is noted for its sustainable design and energetic crowds during night games.
Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 PM EST (7:00 PM PST).
Recent Team Forms
The Capitals have been middling lately, posting a 4-5-1 record in their last 10 games with a -2 goal differential. They’ve dropped their last game 4-2 to Edmonton, highlighting road struggles (10-12-3 away), but wins against Calgary and Colorado show resilience. Washington averages 2.8 goals per game in this stretch while allowing 3.0, with a +14 season goal differential overall but vulnerabilities on the penalty kill.
The Kraken have shown balance at home, going 5-3-2 in their last 10 with a +3 goal differential. They snapped a three-game skid with a recent win but have alternated results, including a 4-3 loss to Anaheim. Seattle averages 3.0 goals per game lately while conceding 2.7, boasting a 12-9-5 home record and a 22-6-3 mark when scoring 3+ goals.
| Team | Last 10 Record | Goals For (Avg) | Goals Against (Avg) | Streak |
| Washington Capitals | 4-5-1 | 2.8 | 3.0 | L1 |
| Seattle Kraken | 5-3-2 | 3.0 | 2.7 | W1 |
Injury Report
Injuries are impacting both teams’ depth, particularly Washington’s blue line and Seattle’s forwards and goaltending, which could lead to more conservative play.
Washington Capitals:
Rasmus Sandin (D, lower body): Did not finish January 24 game vs. Edmonton; missed practice in Seattle, doubtful for this matchup.
Tom Wilson (F, lower body): Missed eighth straight game as of January 19; day-to-day but status uncertain after recent absence.
Pierre-Luc Dubois (F, abdomen): Out since January 2; no clear return timeline.
Overall: Four players banged up per recent reports, thinning the lineup and forcing adjustments.
Seattle Kraken:
Ben Meyers (F, lower body): Placed on IR January 22; week-to-week, expected out until at least January 29.
Matt Murray (G, lower body): Out, impacting goaltending depth.
Tanner McCormick (F, hip): Out for the entire 2025-26 season following surgery.
Chandler Stephenson (F, personal): Out since January 10.
Jordan Eberle (F, undisclosed): Out since January 8.
Overall: Multiple forwards and a goalie sidelined, testing Seattle’s resilience.
Key
Player Matchups
Key individual battles could decide this cross-conference clash, with Washington’s experience testing Seattle’s home-ice speed.
Alex Ovechkin (Capitals F) vs. Adam Larsson (Kraken D): Ovechkin’s power-play prowess and shot volume (leading Caps in goals) against Larsson’s physical shutdown style; injuries may expose gaps for Ovechkin rushes.
Dylan Strome (Capitals C) vs. Matty Beniers (Kraken C): Playmaking centers; Strome’s vision (top in assists) vs. Beniers’ two-way game and faceoff edge (52% wins).
John Carlson (Capitals D) vs. Jared McCann (Kraken F): Carlson’s puck-moving (quarterbacking the blue line) challenged by McCann’s speed and scoring (20+ goals).
Goaltending: Charlie Lindgren (Capitals) vs. Joey Daccord (Kraken): Lindgren (.912 SV%) steady on the road; Daccord (.918 SV%) thrives at home but without Murray as backup.
Key X-Factor: Oliver Bjorkstrand (Kraken F) could exploit Washington’s injured defense with his shot from the wing.
Series History
The Capitals hold a strong edge in the young rivalry, with a 6-3-0 record against the Kraken all-time (66.7% win rate for Washington).
Over the last 9 meetings, Washington is 6-3, with an average of 5.6 total goals, trending under in recent games. At Climate Pledge Arena, the Kraken are 2-2 vs. the Capitals.
| Last 5 Head-to-Head Games | Date | Result | Total Goals |
| Capitals @ Kraken | 03/14/2025 | Capitals 3-2 | 5 |
| Kraken @ Capitals | 11/20/2024 | Capitals 4-1 | 5 |
| Capitals @ Kraken | 02/28/2024 | Kraken 5-4 (OT) | 9 |
| Kraken @ Capitals | 12/05/2023 | Capitals 3-2 | 5 |
| Capitals @ Kraken | 03/10/2023 | Capitals 4-3 | 7 |
Betting Trends
Moneyline: Washington has won 21 of 38 as moneyline favorites this season.
Puck Line: Capitals -1.5 (+200), Kraken +1.5 (-240). Caps are 15-13 ATS on the road; Kraken 17-9 ATS at home.
Over/Under: 5.5 (Over -110, Under -110). The under has hit in 6 of the last 9 head-to-heads and 24 of Seattle’s 51 games (47.1% overs).
Trends: Caps 5-1 SU in last 6 vs. Kraken; Kraken 2-3 in last 5 overall but 3-2 ATS.
Game Odds
Washington Capitals – 125
Seattle Kraken 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 25, 2026
