Game Preview: Canucks and Kraken Clash in Pacific Division Rivalry

On By CanucksBanterIn Canucks News
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By Andrew Phillip Chernoff | CanucksBanter

February 28th, 2026

The Vancouver Canucks (18-33-7) visit the Seattle Kraken (27-22-9) at Climate Pledge Arena tonight, looking to snap a four-game losing streak.

Vancouver has struggled mightily this season, now sitting last in the NHL standings as they enter an organization and team rebuilding phase.

Top Storylines for Saturday’s Matchup

  • Breaking the Skid: The Canucks enter Saturday on a four-game losing streak. They are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games.
    • Vancouver will be trying for their first win of the post-Olympic break period after a 3-2 overtime loss to Winnipeg on Wednesday.
  • The “New Look” Rebuild: Following a franchise-record losing streak earlier this year and the trade of former captain Quinn Hughes in December, the Canucks are leaning heavily on young talent.
    • Zeev Buium, the centerpiece of the Hughes trade, recently returned from a facial fracture and is playing a top-four role.
  • Injury Returns & Current Injuries: 
    • Vancouver recently welcomed back several key players. Brock Boeser (concussion), Marco Rossi (lower body), and Nils Höglander (lower body) all returned to the lineup against Winnipeg.
    • The Canucks remain without star goaltender Thatcher Demko, who is out for the season following hip surgery.
  • Tight Season Series: This is the third meeting of the season between these Pacific Division rivals.
    • Both previous games went to a shootout, with each team winning once (Vancouver won 3-2 on Dec. 29; Seattle won 4-3 on Jan. 2).
  • Kraken’s Playoff Push: Unlike the rebuilding Canucks, the Kraken are in the thick of a playoff hunt in the West.
    • Despite back-to-back losses to Dallas and St. Louis this week, Seattle holds a 6-4-0 record over their last 10 games.
Matchup comparison between Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken, showing metrics such as record, division rank, goals for and against per game, power play percentage, and penalty kill percentage.

Data based on last 10 games and 2025-26 season totals.

Players to Watch

  • Elias Pettersson (VAN): Remains the focal point of the offense and is nearing a single-season franchise record for scoring.
  • Liam Öhgren (VAN): Has been a standout since joining the lineup, scoring the shootout winner in the Canucks’ previous victory over Seattle.
  • Joey Daccord (SEA): The likely starter for Seattle, Daccord has a 16-13-5 record and a .902 save percentage this season.
  • Jordan Eberle (SEA): The Kraken captain leads his team in scoring and recently reached the 1,100 career games milestone.

Until next time, hockey fans

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