NHL Game Preview: Toronto Maple Leafs (24-20-9) vs. Seattle Kraken (24-19-9)

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The Toronto Maple Leafs (24-20-9) visit the Seattle Kraken (24-19-9) in a cross-conference matchup that pits a slumping Leafs squad against a Kraken team seeking consistency at home. Toronto is mired in a five-game losing streak, struggling with defensive breakdowns and special teams inefficiencies, while Seattle has alternated wins and losses but boasts a strong home record (13-9-5 at Climate Pledge Arena). This is the first meeting between the teams this season, with the Kraken holding a slight historical edge in recent games. With injuries affecting both rosters, expect a cautious, low-event contest where Seattle’s home-ice advantage and opportunistic scoring could prevail, but Toronto’s veteran talent might spark a rebound if they capitalize on power-play chances.

Venue Location

Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington.

Puck drop is scheduled for 10:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. PT).

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Recent Team Forms

The Maple Leafs rank 18th in goals per game (2.92) and 22nd in goals against (3.12), with a power play at 15.6% (23rd) and penalty kill at 78.0% (20th).

The Kraken are 20th in goals per game (2.85) and 18th in goals against (2.98), with a power play at 17.19% (21st) and penalty kill at 78.0% (23rd).

Toronto Maple Leafs (Last 10 Games: 2-8-0, Avg. 2.4 GPG)

Recent Streak: Lost 5 straight.

Key Results:

Jan. 27 vs. PIT: L (Recent loss).

Jan. 26 vs. NYI: L 0-4.

Jan. 24 vs. ANA: L (Recent home loss).

Jan. 22 @ NYI: L 2-3 OT.

Jan. 20 vs. CAR: L (Recent loss).

Strengths: Efficient shots on goal (31.79 per game). Weaknesses: Giving up 151 goals (3.12 GAA); 8-11-3 on road.

Seattle Kraken (Last 10 Games: 4-5-1, Avg. 2.85 GPG)

Recent Streak: Won 2 straight.

Key Results:

Jan. 28 @ TOR: W (Recent win).

Jan. 26 vs. UTA: L (Recent home loss).

Jan. 25 vs. BOS: L (Recent home loss).

Jan. 23 vs. NJD: W (Recent home win).

Jan. 21 vs. NYR: OT L (Recent OT loss).

Strengths: Scoring differential -4; 13-9-5 at home. Weaknesses: Allowed 151 goals (2.98 GAA).

Injury Report

Toronto Maple Leafs:

OUT: Chris Tanev (D, groin; IR-LT).

OUT: Dakota Joshua (C, upper body; IR-LT).

DAY-TO-DAY: William Nylander (RW, lower body).

Seattle Kraken:

OUT: Matthew Murray (G, lower body).

OUT: Ben Meyers (C, lower body).

Key

Player Matchups

Maple Leafs Forwards: Max Pacioretty – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner; Matthew Knies – John Tavares – William Nylander (day-to-day; adjustments with Pontus Holmberg); Nicholas Robertson – Pontus Holmberg – Bobby McMann; Ryan Reaves – David Kampf – Steven Lorentz.

Kraken Forwards: Jaden Schwartz – Chandler Stephenson – Oliver Bjorkstrand; Eeli Tolvanen – Shane Wright – Andre Burakovsky; Jared McCann – Yanni Gourde – Tye Kartye; Ryan Winterton – Mitchell Stephens – John Hayden.

Maple Leafs Defense: Morgan Rielly – Oliver Ekman-Larsson; Simon Benoit – Conor Timmins; Jake McCabe – Timothy Liljegren.

Kraken Defense: Vince Dunn – Adam Larsson; Jamie Oleksiak – Brandon Montour; Ryker Evans – Will Borgen.

Goalies: Maple Leafs – Joseph Woll (15-10-3, 2.85 GAA, .900 SV%); Kraken – Joey Daccord (13-12-5, 2.52 GAA, .922 SV%).

Key Matchups:

Auston Matthews vs. Chandler Stephenson: Matthews (25 G, 25 A) scoring threat vs. Stephenson’s two-way play.

Mitch Marner vs. Adam Larsson: Marner (15 G, 35 A) playmaking vs. Larsson’s shutdown defense.

John Tavares vs. Brandon Montour: Tavares (18 G) net-front vs. Montour’s offensive rushes.

Goalie Duel: Woll vs. Daccord: Woll’s consistency vs. Daccord’s home strength (.922 SV%).

Series History

All-time: Maple Leafs lead 3-2 in 5 regular-season games (no playoff meetings).

Recently: Kraken 2-1 in last 3; Kraken won 4-3 OT on Dec. 7, 2024; Maple Leafs won 3-1 on Jan. 24, 2025; Kraken won 4-3 on Oct. 17, 2025. This season: First meeting (0-0).

Betting Trends

ATS Trends: Maple Leafs 3-7 ATS in last 10 (weak as favorites); Kraken 4-6 ATS in last 10 (strong as underdogs). Maple Leafs 4-6 ATS on road; Kraken 5-5 ATS at home. Over in 4 of Maple Leafs’ last 6; Under in 5 of Kraken’s last 7 home.

Game Odds

Toronto Maple Leafs      – 118

Seattle Kraken                  6.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 28, 2026