NHL Matchup: New York Islanders vs. Seattle Kraken
In the NHL matchup between the New York Islanders and Seattle Kraken, both teams are known for their slow-paced, low-scoring style, heavily relying on solid goaltending to carry them. Their previous encounter this season ended without a single goal scored in regulation or overtime, which, while unlikely to repeat, sets the stage for another tightly contested match. For this upcoming game on January 21, I’m predicting a similar outcome in terms of low scoring.
Betting Analysis
When analyzing this game, my recommended bet is to go for the Under 5.5 total goals available at +100 odds. Both teams have consistently favored the under this season, with the Islanders holding a record of 22-26-1 when it comes to over/under outcomes, while the Kraken stand at 19-27-2.
Team Performance
Looking at offensive performance, the Islanders rank 22nd in the league for goals per game, struggling to score even with their top shooter, Bo Horvat, sidelined for 13 games. Veteran forwards like Kyle Palmieri have also been unavailable, placing more pressure on goaltender Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been performing well, sporting a .915 save percentage in his 29 games played, and he tends to excel against lower-tier offensive teams, having allowed an average of just 1.86 goals in games versus the bottom ten scoring offenses this season and notched two shutouts to boot.
On the other side, the Kraken are not faring much better, currently positioned 25th in goals scored per game. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer has maintained a .917 save percentage and recently demonstrated his skills by limiting notable low-scoring teams, including the Flames, Predators, and Flyers, to just one goal each.
Same-Game Parlay Recommendations
For those considering a same-game parlay, even with the return of players like Jared McCann and Brandon Montour, Matty Beniers’ shooting stats remain promising — he averages 2.1 shots per game with both players rather than 1.7 without them. Defensively, the Kraken have been susceptible to allowing shots from defensemen, setting the stage for Tony DeAngelo to capitalize on his offensive role.
My same-game parlay recommendation includes: Under 5.5 total goals, Matty Beniers to register over 1.5 shots on goal, and Tony DeAngelo to also go over 1.5 shots on goal.
Odds and Historical Performance
As for the latest odds, the Islanders are slightly favored with a moneyline of -115 compared to the Kraken at -105. If you’re interested in covering the puck line, the Islanders sit at +210 for a -1.5 goal spread, while the Kraken are at -260 for a +1.5 spread.
Historically, the Islanders have been consistent in hitting the Under, achieving this in 14 of their last 20 games played on the road, yielding a positive return on investment of +9.75 units. Keep an eye on the details of injuries as the game day approaches.
Game Details
For live coverage, the game will take place at the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle on January 21, 2026, with puck drop scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET and airing on TNT.
Note: All betting odds are accurate as of this writing and might change over time.
