Event Preview
Overview
The New York Rangers are set to host the Seattle Kraken at Madison Square Garden on Monday, January 12, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST. This inter-conference matchup is significant for both teams as they vie for positioning in their respective divisions. The Rangers, currently in the Metropolitan Division, are looking to improve their home record, while the Kraken, representing the Pacific Division, aim to extend their recent strong performances.
Season Snapshot
New York Rangers
- Record: 20 wins, 20 losses, 6 overtime losses
- Standings Position: 7th in the Metropolitan Division
- Notable Trends: The Rangers have struggled at home, with a 5-10-4 record at Madison Square Garden. Their offense has been inconsistent, ranking 26th in the league with an average of 2.6 goals per game. Defensively, they allow 2.9 goals per game, placing them 16th in the NHL. (foxsports.com)
Seattle Kraken
- Record: 20 wins, 14 losses, 8 overtime losses
- Standings Position: 3rd in the Pacific Division
- Notable Trends: The Kraken have been more successful on the road, holding a 10-7-3 record away from Climate Pledge Arena. Offensively, they average 2.7 goals per game, ranking 26th in the league, but their defense has been solid, allowing 2.8 goals per game, which is 5th best in the NHL. (foxsports.com)
Recent Form
New York Rangers
- The Rangers have been inconsistent, winning only one of their last five games. Their most recent game was a 10-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on January 10, 2026. (dailyfantasyfuel.com)
Seattle Kraken
- The Kraken have shown resilience, securing four wins in their last five games. Their latest game was a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on January 10, 2026. (dailyfantasyfuel.com)
Talking Points
- Home Ice Advantage: Can the Rangers overcome their home struggles to secure a crucial win?
- Offensive Inconsistency: Will the Rangers' offense find its rhythm against a strong Kraken defense?
- Kraken's Road Performance: Can Seattle continue their strong road play to challenge the Rangers?
- Injury Impact: How will the absence of key players affect both teams' strategies?
- Playoff Implications: What are the stakes for both teams in this inter-conference matchup?
Players to Watch
- Artemi Panarin (Rangers): Leads the team with 16 goals and 33 assists, totaling 49 points in 45 games. (foxsports.com)
- Mika Zibanejad (Rangers): Second in team scoring with 17 goals and 23 assists, totaling 40 points in 45 games. (foxsports.com)
- Jordan Eberle (Kraken): Leads the Kraken with 15 goals and 13 assists, totaling 28 points in 41 games. (foxsports.com)
- Matty Beniers (Kraken): A young center contributing 9 goals and 19 assists, totaling 28 points in 43 games. (foxsports.com)
- Igor Shesterkin (Rangers): Expected to return from injury on January 13, 2026, providing a boost to the Rangers' goaltending. (cbssports.com)
Key Matchups & Storylines
- Offense vs. Defense: The Rangers' struggling offense faces the Kraken's solid defense. Which will prevail?
- Home Performance: The Rangers' poor home record contrasts with the Kraken's better road performance. Can the Rangers turn this around?
- Injury Effects: The absence of key players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin for the Rangers may impact their defensive and goaltending capabilities. (cbssports.com)
Fun Facts
- The Rangers have scored at least one power play goal in 12 of their last 17 games, boasting the NHL's second-best power play percentage at 28.2%. (nhl.com)
- The Rangers' 54.3 faceoff percentage is the second highest in the NHL. (nhl.com)
- The Kraken have been outshot by opponents in 27 games, going 16-7-4 to register 36 points. (foxsports.com)
Things to Chirp About
- "Can the Rangers' power play continue its strong performance against the Kraken?"
- "Will the Rangers' home struggles persist, or can they turn it around tonight?"
- "How will the absence of key players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin affect the Rangers' defense?"
- "Can the Kraken maintain their strong road performance to challenge the Rangers?"
Prediction
The New York Rangers, despite their home struggles, are expected to edge out the Seattle Kraken in a closely contested game. The Rangers' power play and faceoff dominance may provide the necessary edge, especially with the Kraken's tendency to be outshot in games. However, the absence of key players for the Rangers could impact their defensive stability. Overall, the Rangers are slightly favored to secure a narrow victory.
NHL Schedule
- Kraken @ Rangers on Monday, Jan 12, 2026 at 04:00 PM PST