Kraken vs Ducks tonight with Stephenson red-hot and Seattle’s injuries piling up, can they avoid sliding back after dramatic win?

The Seattle Kraken look to extend momentum tonight when they visit the Anaheim Ducks in a critical Pacific Division clash at the Honda Center. Seattle snapped a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 comeback win over San Jose on December 20, but the struggling Kraken remain mired in the league’s basement standings needing a bounce back.

Kraken Seek Momentum Against Western Conference Leaders

Seattle’s stunning 4-2 third-period rally against San Jose provided the franchise much-needed breathing room after dropping four straight contests.

The Ducks, however, pose an entirely different challenge. Anaheim ranks third in the NHL for scoring with 3.44 goals per game, placing immense pressure on a Kraken defense that has surrendered 3.06 goals nightly. The Ducks’ balanced attack and home-ice advantage at the Honda Center (12-5 record at home) make this a formidable task.

Seattle’s defense will need to be exceptional tonight, especially with key injuries mounting across the blue line and forward ranks.

Injury Crisis Tests Seattle’s Roster Depth and Resilience

Team	Key Absences	Status
Kraken	Brandon Montour (D), Jared McCann (F)	Out 4+ weeks
Ducks	Leo Carlsson (F)	Questionable

The loss of Brandon Montour for four weeks represents a critical blow to Seattle’s defensive corps. The high-scoring defenseman underwent hand surgery and was placed on injured reserve ahead of tonight’s game.

Meanwhile, forward Jared McCann remains sidelined with a lower-body injury sustained earlier this month. These absences have forced uncomfortable lineups and reduced offensive options when facing elite competition like the Ducks.

Anaheim will be without emerging star Leo Carlsson, though defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who left the Sharks game early, is expected to return to the lineup tonight.

Chandler Stephenson’s Hot Streak Provides Glimmer of Hope

One bright spot for the Kraken comes from center Chandler Stephenson, who has extended his scoring to eight consecutive games with nine points in that span.

Stephenson sparked the comeback against San Jose with two points, including the insurance goal that sealed the 4-2 victory. His consistency offers Seattle’s attack some hope against a Ducks team ranked 3 points per game in the offensive rankings.

If Stephenson can continue his torrid pace on the road, he could silence Anaheim’s high-powered offense through sheer offensive creation and momentum.

Head-to-Head Edge Belongs to Resilient Seattle Squad

Seattle holds a 10-5 all-time record against Anaheim since the franchise joined the NHL in 2021-22. The Kraken defeated the Ducks 3-1 on October 9 in their season opener, demonstrating they possess the capability to compete against Western Conference heavyweights.

The Ducks will rely on their dominant home record and balanced scoring attack featuring talented young forward Leo Carlsson’s absence forcing lineup adjustments. Anaheim’s power play (ranked 16.8 percent) could exploit Seattle’s struggling penalty kill unit (75.6 percent, 28th in the league).

Can the Kraken avoid sliding back into losing ways with critical Pacific Division standings implications?

What Will Determine Tonight’s Winner in Anaheim?

Special teams competition looms as the deciding factor. Seattle’s porous penalty kill and power play efficiency could spell disaster against a Ducks team ranked in the league’s middle tier offensively.

The Kraken must control penalty minutes while capitalizing on early power-play opportunities before the Ducks’ home crowd generates momentum.

Goaltending also becomes critical. Philipp Grubauer for Seattle will face sustained pressure from Anaheim’s attack, requiring timely saves in high-danger situations to keep the game within reach.

If Seattle limits penalties, controls pace through two periods, and receives strong netminding from Grubauer, the Kraken can extend their bounce-back and stay competitive in a division where every point matters for the struggling franchise?

Sources

• NHL.com – Official game preview and injury updates for December 22 matchup.
• ESPN – Pacific Division standings and player performance statistics.
• The Hockey News – Kraken comeback analysis and Stephenson point streak details.