The Seattle Kraken arrive in Los Angeles on December 23, 2025, seeking to build momentum and consistency after a challenging stretch that has defined much of their 2025‑26 campaign. Seattle’s season has been a roller‑coaster of highs and lows, with sporadic flashes of promising play interrupted by sizeable slumps, particularly on offense and in close games. The Kraken have recently shown signs of life, snapping a four‑game losing streak with a 4‑2 comeback win over the San Jose Sharks — a game where timely goals from Ryker Evans and Ryan Lindgren late in the third period helped turn the tide and secure a morale‑boosting victory for a club fighting for relevance in the Pacific Division. Just a couple of nights later, they followed that up with a 3‑1 win against the Anaheim Ducks, highlighted by Jordan Eberle’s two third‑period goals including an empty‑netter and strong goaltending from Philipp Grubauer, indicating that Seattle can still compete when their top performers are engaged. These back‑to‑back wins serve as key confidence builders and outlier performances in an otherwise inconsistent season, underscoring the team’s ability to push through adversity when the pieces align. However, Seattle’s roster has been tested by injuries and departures, which complicates their identity and execution on a nightly basis. Defenseman Brandon Montour is expected to miss at least four weeks after undergoing hand surgery, robbing the Kraken of a key offensive‑minded blueliner whose ability to quarterback the power play and bolster transitional defense has been an important part of their competitive structure. Montour’s absence deepens a defensive hole already thinning due to other injuries — including forward Jared McCann on injured reserve and Berkly Catton also sidelined — forcing younger or lesser‑used players into minutes they might not be fully prepared for. Seattle’s depth has been challenged, and while this can offer growth opportunities for players like Matthew Beniers, Vince Dunn, and Chandler Stephenson, it also places pressure on goaltenders to keep the Kraken within striking distance when defensive lapses occur. The cumulative effect of these personnel issues has been visible in stretches where the Kraken have struggled to maintain offensive consistency or defensive composure. Offensively, Seattle’s scoring has lagged behind many of its Western Conference rivals.

According to recent statistics, the Kraken’s goals‑per‑game rank near the bottom of the NHL, emphasizing that generating offense has been a primary obstacle all season long. Jordan Eberle has led the team in goals, but beyond his contributions, the scoring load is thin, and secondary production is inconsistent from night to night. Matty Beniers is a creative force capable of generating quality chances and elevating his linemates, but without a consistent supporting cast, the Kraken have too often relied on singular bursts of offense rather than sustained pressure. Special teams have also been a concern; Seattle’s power play has underperformed relative to league averages, and the penalty kill has had ups and downs, placing greater importance on five‑on‑five execution and resilience. This was evident in recent games where Seattle generated offense only to see it countered by lapses in puck management and an inability to sustain extended scoring opportunities. Despite these challenges, the Kraken have shown a scrappy competitive edge, with numerous close games where elimination chances slipped only late or in extra time — like their recent 3‑2 overtime win against the Kings earlier in December, where Vince Dunn scored the OT winner and showcased Seattle’s capacity to rise to the moment in high‑leverage situations. This sort of competitive grit defines Seattle’s identity: a team that refuses to go quietly, battles through adversity, and pushes more established opponents to the brink. Yet this same grit has not always translated into consistent results; the Kraken have lost nine of their last ten games leading up to these recent wins, highlighting just how hard it has been for them to convert effort into steady success. As a road club facing a Kings team that has more stability and home advantage, Seattle’s path to success in this matchup will hinge on disciplined defending, opportunistic scoring, and strong goaltending to keep the game competitive. Playing away from Climate Pledge Arena adds another layer of challenge, but Seattle’s recent adversity and ability to compete in tight games mean they enter this contest still capable of keeping it close — especially if they can bottle the momentum from their latest wins and maintain urgency throughout all three periods.