The Vegas Golden Knights travel to Seattle to face the Seattle Kraken in an important NHL matchup at Climate Pledge Arena on April 9, 2026. The game comes at a crucial stage of the season, especially for Vegas, which is still competing for stronger playoff positioning in the Western Conference.
Vegas enters this matchup with strong momentum after winning four consecutive games. The team has been scoring regularly and showing balance on both offense and defense. Seattle, on the other hand, is going through a difficult stretch, having lost six straight games and struggling to produce consistent scoring.
Both teams have already faced each other earlier this season, and the results have been competitive. However, their current form shows two teams moving in opposite directions, which makes this matchup particularly interesting.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken Match Details
| Match | Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken |
|---|---|
| League | NHL 2025-26 Season |
| Date | April 9, 2026 |
| Time | 10:00 PM ET |
| Venue | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle |
| Broadcast | ESPN+ |
Vegas arrives as the stronger team on recent form, while Seattle will try to break its losing streak in front of home fans.
Current Season Records
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Vegas Golden Knights | 36-26-16 |
| Seattle Kraken | 32-34-11 |
Vegas currently sits near the top of the Pacific Division standings, while Seattle remains outside the playoff positions and has struggled with consistency throughout the season.
Recent Form – Last Games
Vegas Golden Knights Recent Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 7, 2026 | Vancouver Canucks | Win | 2-1 |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Edmonton Oilers | Win | 5-1 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Calgary Flames | Win | 6-3 |
| Mar 30, 2026 | Vancouver Canucks | Win | 4-2 |
| Mar 28, 2026 | Washington Capitals | Loss | 4-5 |
Vegas has won four straight games and scored 17 goals during that stretch, showing strong offensive momentum.
Seattle Kraken Recent Results
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 7, 2026 | Minnesota Wild | Loss | 2-5 |
| Apr 6, 2026 | Winnipeg Jets | Loss | 2-6 |
| Apr 4, 2026 | Chicago Blackhawks | Loss | 2-4 |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Utah Mammoth | Loss | 2-6 |
| Mar 31, 2026 | Edmonton Oilers | Loss | 0-3 |
Seattle has lost six straight games and has been outscored heavily during this stretch.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Category | Golden Knights | Kraken |
|---|---|---|
| Goals Scored | 3.18 per game | 2.77 per game |
| Goals Allowed | 3.00 per game | 3.14 per game |
| Shots per Game | 28.7 | 25.5 |
| Shots Allowed | 24.2 | 29.2 |
| Power Play | 24.22% | 19.07% |
| Penalty Kill | 82.56% | 71.84% |
Vegas holds the advantage in most statistical categories, including offense, defense, and special teams.
Head-to-Head Record
| Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Last 10 Meetings | Vegas 6 – Seattle 4 |
| Recent Meetings | Seattle won last two games |
| Average Goals (Vegas) | 2.9 |
| Average Goals (Seattle) | 2.2 |
Although Seattle has won the most recent meetings, Vegas has historically dominated the matchup.
Key Players to Watch
Vegas Golden Knights
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Ivan Barbashev | Leading recent scorer |
| Mitch Marner | Playmaker and offensive threat |
| Jack Eichel | Dangerous scoring option |
| Brayden McNabb | Key defensive presence |
Vegas has received strong contributions across multiple lines, making their offense difficult to stop.
Seattle Kraken
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Kaapo Kakko | Leading points contributor recently |
| Bobby McMann | Strong recent shooting numbers |
| Adam Larsson | Defensive stability |
| Brandon Montour | Offensive defenseman |
Seattle will need stronger offensive production from its top players to challenge Vegas.
Goaltending Matchup
| Team | Goalie | Key Stats |
|---|---|---|
| Golden Knights | Adin Hill | Solid experience and playoff-level play |
| Kraken | Joey Daccord | Heavy workload this season |
Goaltending could play a major role, especially if Seattle manages to slow down Vegas’ attack.
Injury Report
Golden Knights Injury Updates
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| William Karlsson | Out (Lower-body injury) |
| Alex Pietrangelo | Injured Reserve |
Kraken Injury Updates
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Shane Wright | Day-to-Day |
| Philipp Grubauer | Day-to-Day |
| Max McCormick | Injured Reserve |
| Lleyton Roed | Injured Reserve |
Seattle enters the game with multiple injury concerns, which could affect lineup stability.
Team Form Trends
Vegas has been extremely strong recently, winning four straight games and producing consistent offense. Their defense has also limited opponent scoring during this stretch.
Seattle, meanwhile, has struggled badly over the past two weeks. The team has allowed more than four goals per game during its losing streak and has converted very few power-play opportunities.
Another key factor is special teams. Vegas ranks among the stronger teams in both power play and penalty kill, while Seattle sits near the bottom of the league in penalty killing.
Best Betting Picks
| Pick Type | Selection |
|---|---|
| Match Winner | Vegas Golden Knights |
| Puck Line | Kraken +1.5 |
| Total Goals | Under 6 |
| Correct Score Prediction | Golden Knights 4 – Kraken 3 |
Vegas’ recent form and stronger offensive numbers give them the edge, while Seattle could still keep the game competitive on home ice.
Match Prediction
Vegas enters this matchup with strong confidence after several impressive wins. Their balanced attack has produced consistent scoring, and their defense has been effective in limiting high-quality chances.
Seattle faces a difficult situation. The team has struggled offensively during its losing streak and has allowed too many goals defensively. Even though home-ice advantage can help, the Kraken must improve their power play and defensive structure to challenge Vegas.
If Vegas maintains its current form and continues to control puck possession, it should be able to dictate the pace of the game. Seattle may still generate scoring chances, but the Golden Knights appear better equipped to capitalize on opportunities.
Predicted Score:
Golden Knights 4 – Kraken 3







