The Seattle Kraken are set to visit the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Benchmark International Arena on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+, adding to the excitement as these two NHL teams clash during the regular season. The Kraken, coached by Lane Lambert, enter with a 31-30-10 record, while the Lightning, led by Jon Cooper, boast a 44-21-5 record.
The Kraken have faced a series of challenging games lately, with their most recent performance resulting in a 5-4 loss against the Florida Panthers. Their record indicates a consistent but struggling form, especially against top-tier opponents. Currently, Seattle sits 10th in their conference and 5th in the Western Pacific division.
On the other hand, the Lightning have shown strong performances, winning four of their last five games, including a 6-3 victory against the Minnesota Wild. They rank 3rd in their conference and 2nd in the Eastern Atlantic division. The odds favor Tampa Bay in this matchup, with their moneyline set at -297 compared to Seattle’s +244.
Lightning vs Kraken At a Glance
- Game Location: Benchmark International Arena
- TV Broadcast: ESPN+
- Away Team Record: Seattle Kraken hold a 31-30-10 record this season
- Home Team Record: Tampa Bay Lightning stand at 44-21-5
- Game Odds: Tampa Bay Lightning are favored with a MoneyLine of -297
- Expected Goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy for the Tampa Bay Lightning
Lightning Strikes Again: Tampa Bay Looks to Continue Winning Streak
Away Team Overview
The Tampa Bay Lightning have demonstrated offensive strength this season, ranking 2nd in both goals and assists with 253 and 444, respectively. Their ability to score is complemented by an impressive 48 power play goals, placing them 8th in the league. Despite a lower ranking in shots on goal at 18th, their efficiency on the power play has proven valuable.
The Lightning’s physical play sees them ranked 20th in hits, indicating a balanced approach that doesn’t overly rely on aggression. Defensively, they sit at 29th in blocks, which suggests room for improvement in shot prevention. However, their high number of takeaways, leading the league with 286, highlights their strength in disrupting opponent plays.
Key Players to Watch
Nikita Kucherov remains a standout for the Lightning, contributing significantly with 40 goals and 80 assists, totaling 120 points this season. His ability to both score and set up plays makes him a constant threat. On the defensive side, Darren Raddysh has been pivotal, providing 20 goals and 44 assists while also contributing with 60 blocks.
Brandon Hagel’s presence on the ice is noteworthy, as his 33 goals and 36 assists show his dual threat potential. His contributions, along with those of Jake Guentzel, who has 32 goals and 42 assists, provide the Lightning with depth in their offensive lineup. These players ensure that the Lightning can maintain pressure on their opponents throughout the game.
Goaltending Insights
Andrei Vasilevskiy has been solid between the pipes for Tampa Bay, playing 49 games with 34 wins and making 1158 saves. Despite not recording any shutouts, his consistency has been key to the Lightning’s success. Jonas Johansson offers reliable backup support with 537 saves in 23 games, maintaining a competitive edge for the team.
The Lightning’s goaltending duo ensures that they have stability in net, a crucial factor as they push towards the playoffs. Vasilevskiy’s experience and Johansson’s capability make them a formidable tandem for any opponent. Their combined efforts will be crucial as the Lightning seek to extend their winning run.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
- Straight Up (SU) Last 3: 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- SU Last 10: 6-4 (60.0%)
- SU All Games: 35-21 (62.5%)
- SU as Favorite: 28-18 (60.9%)
- SU as Underdog: 7-3 (70.0%)
- Puckline (ATS) Last 3: 3-0 (100.0%)
- Puckline Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- Puckline Last 10: 6-4 (60.0%)
- Puckline All Games: 35-21 (62.5%)
- Puckline as Favorite: 25-21 (54.3%)
- Puckline as Underdog: 10-0 (100.0%)
- Totals (Over/Under) Last 3: 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 7-3 (70.0%)
- O/U All Games: 31-25 (55.4%)
Kraken’s Quest: Seattle Faces Off Against Tampa Bay
Team Overview
The Seattle Kraken are preparing for their upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. As the Kraken hit the road, they aim to bounce back from recent struggles. Their current record stands at 25-29, with a mix of highs and lows throughout the season.
Seattle’s recent games have seen them fall short, with losses in their last three outings. Despite these setbacks, they have showcased competitive play, especially against high-caliber opponents.
Key Players to Watch
Jordan Eberle remains a vital component of the Kraken’s offense, contributing significantly with 23 goals and 28 assists this season. His ability to find the back of the net is crucial for Seattle’s success.
Matty Beniers has also been a standout performer, delivering 19 goals and 26 assists. As a center, his playmaking skills and defensive contributions are essential for the Kraken’s strategy.
Goaltending Overview
Philipp Grubauer has been a reliable presence in the net for Seattle. With 12 wins and 660 saves, he has kept the Kraken competitive in many games.
While the Kraken’s defense has faced challenges, Grubauer’s efforts between the pipes provide a foundation for potential victories.
Skater Contributions
Vince Dunn is a defensive force for Seattle, leading in blocks with 69. His defensive acumen is matched by his offensive contributions, as he has tallied 41 points this season.
Chandler Stephenson provides depth at center, contributing both offensively and defensively. His balanced play is a key element in the Kraken’s lineup.
Seattle Kraken Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-3 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
- SU Last 10: 3-7 (30.0%)
- SU All Games: 25-29 (46.3%)
- SU as Favorite: 5-4 (55.6%)
- SU as Underdog: 20-25 (44.4%)
- Puckline Last 3: 0-3 (0.0%)
- Puckline Last 5: 2-3 (40.0%)
- Puckline Last 10: 3-7 (30.0%)
- Puckline All Games: 29-25 (53.7%)
- Puckline as Favorite: 5-4 (55.6%)
- Puckline as Underdog: 24-21 (53.3%)
- O/U Last 3: 2-1 (66.7%)
- O/U Last 5: 4-1 (80.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 5-5 (50.0%)
- O/U All Games: 21-33 (38.9%)
Lightning vs Kraken Prediction: Over 6.0
In this regular season game, the Tampa Bay Lightning, with a solid 44-21-5 record, are expected to lead the charge against the Seattle Kraken, who sit at 31-30-10. The Lightning’s offensive capabilities are evidenced by their second-ranked goal tally this season, scoring a total of 253 goals. Additionally, their recent performance shows a strong trend of hitting the over, with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games.
The Kraken, while not as prolific, have managed to put up a respectable fight in their division, boasting 199 goals this season. Their previous encounter with the Lightning saw a high-scoring game that went over the total. This pattern suggests that when these two teams meet, goals are likely to come in abundance.
From a betting standpoint, the Lightning have demonstrated a tendency to exceed expectations on the totals, with a 31-25 record favoring the over this season. The odds set for this game, with the over at 6.0 (-120), reflect the expectation of a dynamic and high-scoring contest.
Considering the offensive prowess of the Lightning and the Kraken’s ability to contribute to the scoreboard, the prediction leans towards another high-scoring affair. A projected final score of Lightning 5 – Kraken 3 supports taking the over in this matchup.
- Lightning vs Kraken Prediction: Over 6.0
- Lightning vs Kraken Score: Lightning 5 – Kraken 3
