Kraken vs Canucks prediction: Release the prospects

The Pacific Northwest rivalry is back, although some of its biggest names may spend Saturday safely wrapped in preseason bubble wrap.

The Seattle Kraken host the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL preseason opener for both teams. Seattle has home ice and a sizeable early market lead, but exhibition hockey rarely respects the script. 

With jobs, line combinations and seven-goalie depth charts under examination, the lineup announcements could matter more than anything that happened last season.

When is Kraken vs Canucks?

The Seattle Kraken host the Vancouver Canucks in Seattle on Saturday, September 19. The puck drops at 6 p.m. PT (9 p.m. ET).

It is the first of two preseason meetings, with the return game in Vancouver on September 26.

What could decide Kraken vs Canucks?

First, the familiar NHL preseason question: who is actually playing?

Vancouver opened camp with 57 players, including seven goaltenders. Thatcher Demko and Kevin Lankinen are the established options, but Chris Driedger is attending on a professional tryout and prospects Aleksei Medvedev, Nikita Tolopilo and Ty Young are also competing for minutes.

The Canucks have plenty of recognizable forwards in camp, including Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk. However, prospects such as Braeden Cootes, Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Adam Novotný may have more to gain from the opener. That can produce energetic hockey, if not always organized hockey.

Seattle’s shortened preseason raises the stakes. The Kraken have only four exhibition games, down from six, giving fringe players considerably less time to impress. General manager Jason Botterill has warned that roster decisions will need to happen quickly.

Latest Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks team news

Seattle enters camp looking for more scoring after averaging 2.73 goals per game last season. Matty Beniers, Shane Wright, Berkly Catton and Kaapo Kakko form part of the young core expected to take another step, while newcomer Mackie Samoskevich could add speed around the top lines.

The Kraken still have experienced finishers in Jordan Eberle, Jared McCann and Bobby McMann, plus a settled goaltending tandem of Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer. Their training-camp preview frames this season as the point when the younger group must start turning promise into production.

Neither team has confirmed its game roster or starting goaltender. Until those names arrive, any Kraken vs Canucks prediction comes with the traditional preseason warning label: the final lineups could change everything.

What does the Kraken vs Canucks prediction market show?

At the time of writing, OG prediction market traders gave the Seattle Kraken an 73% implied probability of winning. The Vancouver Canucks were at 61%.

Market data as of 18 September. For the latest market probabilities, check the OG.com platform. 

Those percentages do not total 100% because they represent separate event contracts with their own prices, liquidity and trading activity. They should not be treated like the two sides of a conventional sportsbook moneyline.

FAQs about Kraken vs Canucks

What time is Kraken vs Canucks?

The game is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT and 9 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 19. In the UK, that is 2 a.m. BST on Sunday.

Where is Kraken vs Canucks being played?

The game takes place in Seattle.

Is Kraken vs Canucks an NHL preseason game?

Yes. It is the opening preseason game for both the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks.

Have the starting goaltenders been confirmed?

No. Neither team had announced its starter at the time of writing.

Can you trade Kraken vs Canucks on OG.com?

Yes. OG.com offers a prediction market for the game.