The Pittsburgh Penguins (22-14-11) face the Seattle Kraken (21-17-9) in a cross-conference matchup between two teams battling for playoff positioning. The Penguins, third in the Metropolitan Division, have been inconsistent but boast elite talent like Sidney Crosby, ranking top-10 in power-play efficiency (25.8%). The Kraken, third in the Pacific Division, are looking to snap a three-game slide and leverage their strong home defense (2.75 goals against per game at Climate Pledge Arena). Injuries could impact both sides, with Pittsburgh missing key defensemen and Seattle without their backup goalie. Expect a tight, low-scoring game at Climate Pledge Arena, where the Kraken’s home form gives them a slight edge in a projected 3-2 victory.
Venue Location
Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington. This 18,100-seat venue, home to the Kraken since 2021, is known for its passionate fans and has contributed to Seattle’s solid home record (10-7-5 this season).
Puckdrop is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT, 2:00 p.m. local time in Seattle). The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with local feeds on SportsNet Pittsburgh (Penguins market) and KONG (Kraken market). Radio coverage is available on SN-PIT (Penguins) and KHN/Prime (Kraken).
Recent Team Forms
The Penguins have been strong lately, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 with a +17 goal differential, including a three-game points streak. The Kraken are struggling, 5-3-2 in their last 10 with a -5 goal differential, on a three-game slide.
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games:
| Date | Opponent | Result (Penguins) | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs CBJ | L (SO) | 3-4 |
| Jan 15 | vs NJD | W | 4-1 |
| Jan 13 | @ BOS | L | 0-1 |
| Jan 11 | @ BOS | L (SO) | 3-4 |
| Jan 10 | vs CGY | L | 1-2 |
| Jan 8 | vs NJD | W | 4-1 |
| Jan 6 | vs BOS | W | 5-3 |
| Jan 3 | @ DET | W | 4-1 |
| Jan 1 | vs DET | W | 4-3 |
| Dec 30 | vs CAR | W | 5-1 |
Overall: 6-3-1 in last 10 (+13 goal differential).
| Date | Opponent | Result (Kraken) | Score |
| Jan 17 | @ UTA | L | 3-6 |
| Jan 16 | vs NSH | L | 3-7 |
| Jan 12 | @ NYR | W | 4-2 |
| Jan 10 | @ CAR | L | 2-3 |
| Jan 8 | vs MIN | L (SO) | 2-3 |
| Jan 2 | @ VAN | W | 4-3 |
| Jan 1 | vs NSH | W | 4-1 |
| Dec 29 | vs VAN | L (OT) | 2-3 |
| Dec 27 | vs CGY | W | 5-4 |
| Dec 23 | @ CGY | W | 5-3 |
Overall: 5-4-1 in last 10 (+1 goal differential).
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Penguins:
Erik Karlsson (D): Out – Undisclosed (IR, expected back Jan 29).
Caleb Jones (D): Out – Undisclosed (IR, expected back Jan 25).
Filip Hallander (C): Out – Leg.
Tanner Howe (LW): Out – ACL (IR-NR, expected back Jan 24).
Rutger McGroarty (F): Out – Concussion.
Peyton Kettles (D): Out.
Seattle Kraken:
Matt Murray (G): Out – Lower Body (expected back Jan 19).
Brandon Montour (D): Out – Hand (expected back Jan 15).
Max McCormick (LW): Out – Hip (out for season).
Key Player Matchups
Injuries weaken Pittsburgh’s blue line, potentially exposing them to Seattle’s forwards.
Sidney Crosby (PIT F) vs. Matthew Beniers (SEA F): Crosby leads Penguins with 12 points in last 10; Beniers (multi-point games recently) counters with speed.
Evgeni Malkin (PIT F) vs. Jared McCann (SEA F): Malkin (8 points in last 5) vs. McCann (ex-Penguin, hot streak with elite level play).
Kris Letang (PIT D) vs. Jordan Eberle (SEA F): Letang steps up sans Karlsson; Eberle (14 goals vs PIT career) exploits gaps.
Alex Nedeljkovic (PIT G) vs. Joey Daccord (SEA G): Nedeljkovic (sub for injured) vs. Daccord (2.84 GAA).
Other keys: Pittsburgh’s power play (top-10) vs. Seattle’s penalty kill (middle-pack). Kraken’s home possession vs. Penguins’ counterattacks.
Series History
The Penguins have a 2-5-2 record all-time against the Kraken (9 games). Seattle has won 7 of 9, including 4-1 at home. Recent: Seattle W 3-2 OT (11/22/2025), Seattle W 4-1 (1/25/2025), Seattle W 4-2 (1/14/2025). Unders have hit in 4 of the last 6.
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Penguins 5-5 ATS in last 10; Kraken 6-4 ATS as underdogs.
Over/Under: Set at 5.5 -122 over / +100 under. Over is 4-1 in Penguins’ last 5 road; under is 5-1 in Kraken’s last 6 home.
Other Trends: Kraken 4-6 SU in last 10 home; Penguins 6-4 SU in last 10 overall. Seattle 4-1 SU as +100 underdogs; series unders in 4/6.
Game Odds
Pittsburgh Penguins – 122
Seattle Kraken 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 18, 2026
