Seattle Kraken looks forward to its fifth straight win as struggling Vancouver Canucks visit on Monday night

The Seattle Kraken welcomed the Vancouver Canucks to Climate Pledge Arena on Monday night. The matchup marks the first meeting of the season between the two Pacific Division rivals. While the Kraken have been slowly rising up the standings looking for that wildcard spot, the Canucks are still adjusting from the trade of former captain Quinn Hughes.

Seattle enters the contest riding a four-game winning streak that has vaulted them back into playoff contention. Vancouver arrives in the opposite direction after a disappointing start to the campaign has left them near the bottom of the division standings.

Seattle Kraken looking to continue their winning run against Vancouver Canucks

Seattle sits at 16-14-6 with 38 points, positioning itself in the middle of a tight Pacific Division race. The Kraken have been particularly effective within the division, posting an impressive 8-4-0 record against Pacific opponents.

However, the team still carries a negative scoring differential of -12 with 93 goals scored and 105 allowed through 36 games. Those numbers suggest that Seattle has been winning close contests during its recent surge, rather than dominating opponents.

Over their last 10 games, the Kraken have gone 5-5-0 while averaging 2.7 goals per game. The team has averaged four penalties and nine penalty minutes while giving up just 2.2 goals per game during that stretch. The improved defensive play has been a key factor in their four-game winning streak.

Jordan Eberle leads Seattle with 14 goals and 10 assists through 36 games. Chandler Stephenson has provided recent production with five goals and six assists over the past 10 contests, giving the Kraken secondary scoring behind their top line.

Vancouver Canucks continue to struggle from disappointing season

While the Canucks wanted to show a different side to the fans this season, so far, the franchise has been unable to live up to its reputation. With a record of 15-19-3 and just 33 points, the franchise sits near the bottom of the Pacific Division, and its playoff hopes seem to have fizzled out.

The team has been particularly ineffective within the division, posting a disappointing 3-4-1 record in Pacific matchups. That lack of success against divisional opponents has made climbing back into the playoff race extremely difficult.

However, Vancouver has still gone just 5-5-0 during that span while averaging only 2.5 goals per game. The Canucks rank eighth in the NHL with 149 total penalties, averaging four per game. That undisciplined play has contributed to their struggles throughout the season.

Both teams enter Monday's contest healthy with no injuries listed. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. EST at Climate Pledge Arena as Seattle looks to extend their winning streak to five games while Vancouver desperately needs points to keep their fading playoff hopes alive.

Also Read: Seattle Kraken face tough test against Philadelphia Flyers while chasing wild card playoff spot


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