Tonight, December 29, the Seattle Kraken face off against the Vancouver Canucks at Climate Pledge Arena, marking their first encounter of the season. The Kraken are riding a four-game winning streak, eager to capitalize on their momentum and solidify their position in the Western Conference wild-card race. Conversely, the Canucks are struggling, having lost their last two games, including a 6-3 defeat against the San Jose Sharks. This game concludes a two-game road trip for Vancouver.

For the Kraken, goaltender Joey Daccord is expected to start, providing Philipp Grubauer with a well-deserved rest after his 31-save performance against the Philadelphia Flyers while battling an illness. This strategy allows both goalies to prepare for an upcoming back-to-back series on January 1st and 2nd. Jared McCann recently returned to the lineup after being sidelined since December 10th, playing on the third line and recording two shots on goal in his first game back. Eeli Tolvanen is a player to watch, as he's currently on a hot streak with 10 points in his last six games.

The Kraken's recent success can be attributed to their improved defensive play, which has been a key factor during their four-game winning streak. Over their last 10 games, the Kraken have allowed just 2.2 goals per game. During that same span, the Kraken have averaged 2.7 goals per game. Key offensive contributors for the Kraken include Jordan Eberle, who leads the team with 14 goals and 10 assists, and Chandler Stephenson, who has been providing secondary scoring with five goals and six assists in the last 10 games.

The Vancouver Canucks, on the other hand, are aiming to reverse their fortunes after a disappointing start to the season. The Canucks have a record of 15-19-3 and are near the bottom of the Pacific Division. Their struggles within the division, with a 3-4-1 record against Pacific opponents, have made it difficult to climb back into playoff contention. Evander Kane leads the Vancouver Canucks in shot attempts.

The Canucks vs Kraken game is set to be a captivating contest between two teams heading in opposite directions. The moneyline favors the Canucks at -115, while the Kraken are at -105. The over/under is set at 5.5 goals.