The Atlantic Division-leading Florida Panthers (34-20-3) welcome the Seattle Kraken (24-29-4) to Amerant Bank Arena on Saturday evening in what promises to be an intriguing cross-conference matchup.
The Panthers enter the contest riding high with one of the NHL's most potent offenses, averaging 3.30 goals per game led by the dynamic duo of Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov who have combined for 45 goals and 69 assists this season.
The Kraken, despite their recent 3-2 victory over the Flames, have struggled to find consistency this season, posting the second-worst record in the Pacific Division while averaging just 2.95 goals per game.
Florida's defensive unit, anchored by Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad, has been equally impressive, allowing only 2.89 goals per game, though the potential absence of star forward Matthew Tkachuk due to injury could impact their offensive firepower.
The contrast in momentum between these teams sets up an compelling narrative, with the Panthers' well-rounded performance this season facing off against a Kraken squad led by the stellar goaltending of Joey Daccord, who boasts a .915 save percentage.
As these teams prepare to face off in Sunrise, Florida, hockey fans will be watching closely to see if the Panthers can maintain their dominant form or if the Kraken can pull off an upset against one of the Eastern Conference's top teams.
Florida Panthers vs. Seattle Kraken prediction: who will win?
For tonight's Florida Panthers vs Seattle Kraken matchup, our predictive model gives the Panthers a 61.67% chance of defeating the Kraken.
Pre-game probabilities
Florida Panthers
Moneyline
Win %
61.67%
38.33%
Seattle Kraken
Florida Panthers: 61.67% win probability
- Potent offense (192 goals scored, 2nd highest in Eastern Conference)
- Strong overall record (34 wins in 57 games, 2nd in Atlantic Division)
- Excellent recent form (WWLWW in last 5 games)
Seattle Kraken: 38.33% win probability
- Poor defensive record (183 goals against, 7th worst in Western Conference)
- Inconsistent performance (24-29 win-loss record)
- Struggling road team (52 points in 57 games, 13th in Western Conference)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts..
| Florida Panthers | Seattle Kraken | |
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Florida Panthers vs. Seattle Kraken preview
The Florida Panthers are set to host the Seattle Kraken at Amerant Bank Arena in a compelling cross-conference matchup that highlights the contrasting fortunes of both teams this season.
The Panthers, currently leading the Atlantic Division with a strong 34-20-3 record, have been firing on all cylinders with an impressive 3.30 goals per game, though they'll need to adjust their strategy with star forward Matthew Tkachuk sidelined due to injury.
Seattle enters the contest struggling to find consistency, posting a 24-29-4 record and sitting near the bottom of the Pacific Division, despite showing glimpses of potential in their recent 3-2 victory over the Flames.
The Panthers' dynamic duo of Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov has been exceptional, combining for 45 goals and 69 assists, while the defensive pairing of Gustav Forsling and Aaron Ekblad has contributed significantly on both ends of the ice.
For the Kraken, goaltender Joey Daccord has been a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season, maintaining a solid .915 save percentage and 2.49 goals-against average, while Jared McCann leads the offensive effort with impressive individual numbers.
The Panthers' league-leading shot total of 1,819 demonstrates their aggressive offensive approach, complemented by an efficient power play converting at 24.40%.
Seattle's defensive struggles, allowing 3.16 goals per game, could prove particularly challenging against Florida's high-powered offense, which ranks among the NHL's most potent attacking units.
With Florida's home-ice advantage and superior form across all areas of the game, the Panthers appear poised to continue their strong season, though the Kraken's recent victory suggests they shouldn't be completely counted out.
The matchup presents an intriguing tactical battle between Seattle's resilient goaltending and Florida's multi-faceted offensive attack, with special teams likely to play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Florida Panthers vs. Seattle Kraken form
Florida Panthers vs. Seattle Kraken head to head
Florida Panthers
50%
Seattle Kraken
50%
Dec 11, 2024
Seattle Kraken
1 : 2
Florida Panthers
Dec 13, 2023
Seattle Kraken
4 : 0
Florida Panthers
Oct 28, 2023
Florida Panthers
3 : 2
Seattle Kraken
Dec 11, 2022
Florida Panthers
2 : 5
Seattle Kraken
Dec 4, 2022
Seattle Kraken
1 : 5
Florida Panthers
Jan 24, 2022
Seattle Kraken
5 : 3
Florida Panthers
