Seattle Kraken vs. Ottawa Senators Picks and Prediction for Thursday, October 16, 2025
In the beginning stages of the NHL season, an intriguing nonconference matchup awaits as the Seattle Kraken, standing third in the Pacific Division, take on the Ottawa Senators, ranked last in the Atlantic Division. This matchup taking place at the Canadian Tire Centre on October 16th gives the team a great chance to see what both teams are made of. These teams have not played against one another yet and will not until March, so this is a chance for both teams to collect some points. Skate to an edge with NHL picks for the Seattle Kraken vs. Ottawa Senators.
Kraken Looking to Keep Adding Points
The Seattle Kraken, currently sitting in third place in the Pacific Division with a 2-0-0 record, have positioned themselves to be a successful team in the early stages of the season. Their recent performances, including a 5-4 overtime road loss against Montreal, reflect a team that was still able to record a point early on. Jared McCann, the team's point leader with four, has been exciting in terms of securing goals, contributing significantly to their average goal score of 3.00 per game, putting them tied for 16th place in the sport. The Kraken's power play efficiency, standing at a commendable 22.2% (13th in NHL), showcases their ability to be effective when having the advantage on the ice.
In terms of their defense, they have been conceding an average of 2.33 goals per game, placing them tied for sixth in the NHL in goals against. Goalie Matt Murray is going to be getting into game action for the first time this season, so the defense can be a little more suspect here. Seattle is a little banged up as both Kaapo Kakko and Ryker Evans are going to miss this game with their respective injuries. Their penalty kill rate stands at 83.3% early on, reflecting a disciplined approach to defense. With only 19 penalty minutes themselves, Seattle’s ability to control the special teams in their games puts them in a great position to be successful.
Injury Report for Seattle
- Right winger Kaapo Kakko: Hand (OUT)
- Defenseman Ryker Evans: Upper Body (OUT)
Senators Looking for a Better Start
The Ottawa Senators, eighth in the Atlantic Division with a 1-3-0 record, are looking to get going as they are off to a rough start. Their recent loss on Wednesday on the road against the Buffalo Sabres 8-4 puts them in a difficult position right now. The Senator’s offense is clicking with Shane Pinto, the points leader with five, which gives them an advantage to attack the opposing goalie. This offense needs to improve as their goal average of 3.00 per game, ranking them tied for 16th in the league, needs to step up even more. Ottawa’s power play, 15th in the sport at 18.8%, is a number that puts them in a good position, while their faceoff win percentage at 65.2% (best in NHL) allows them to control the puck throughout the season thus far.
Defensively, the Senators allow an average of 5.50 goals per game, which is the worst in goals against. Despite this, their penalty kill efficiency, at 52.9%, places them 31st, highlighting a defensive strategy that needs significant improvement. Linus Ullmark, with a GAA of 4.07, remains a figure that seemingly needs to improve between the pipes. The team does not have many injuries, but Brady Tkachuk will be out with a wrist injury, which is a tough blow for at least the next four weeks. With 42 penalty minutes, Ottawa’s aggressiveness has allowed them to be in a respectable spot on special teams.
Injury Report for Ottawa
- Left winger Brady Tkachuk: Wrist (OUT)
Seattle Kraken at Ottawa Senators Pick
Spread Pick for Seattle Kraken vs. Ottawa Senators
- Seattle Kraken to cover (5 units)
This game is going to be difficult to predict with the uncertainty surrounding things, but the Kraken are the better team. Matt Murray may be playing for the first time this season, but he is a veteran goaltender with a career 2.80 goals allowed per game average. The Senators are struggling this season and lost their best player for at least the next four weeks, which completely neuters them on both sides of the ice. Their defense has been terrible and this is something Seattle should be able to fully take advantage of. All in all, go with the Seattle Kraken to cover the puck line.
Over/Under Pick for Kraken vs. Senators
- Over (4 units)
This is similar to the spread pick, but the Kraken are sending a goaltender getting his feet on the ice for the first time since last year’s postseason, so there could be some rust as a result. Ottawa, on the other hand, are statistically the worst defense in the NHL and just allowed Buffalo to score eight goals against them on Wednesday. This Senators’ defense is allowing 6.0 goals per game during their three-game losing streak after allowing four in the opening game of the season as well. With one uncertain goalie and a team that can’t defend, take the over here.