The Colorado Avalanche travel to Climate Pledge Arena looking to cement their status as the NHL’s top team as they face a desperate Seattle Kraken squad fighting for a Western Conference Wild Card spot. The Avalanche have been the story of the 2026 trade deadline, making massive moves to load up for another Stanley Cup run. General Manager Chris MacFarland pulled off a blockbuster by bringing 2022 Stanley Cup hero Nazem Kadri back to Denver from the Calgary Flames, while also acquiring forward Nicolas Roy and defensemen Brett Kulak and Nick Blankenburg to bolster their unmatched depth.
Despite missing captain Gabriel Landeskog (week-to-week with a lower-body injury) and Artturi Lehkonen, Colorado’s offense remains utterly dominant. Nathan MacKinnon leads the NHL in both goals and points, while Cale Makar continues to run away with the blue line scoring race.
The Seattle Kraken return home looking to snap a three-game losing skid. Offensively, they rely on the steady production of Jared McCann and Matty Beniers, along with strong two-way defense from Vince Dunn. However, they face a tough task without veteran forward Jaden Schwartz, who is out indefinitely following a scary skate-to-the-face injury over the weekend. Follow our NHL page for more betting predictions on NHL.
Our Avalanche vs Kraken Pick
Pick:
Confidence: ★★★★★
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken
- Date & Time: Thursday, March 12, 2026, 10:00 PM ET
- Venue: Climate Pledge Arena
- Broadcast: KHN/Prime, KONG, ALT2, ESPN+
Betting Insights Colorado vs Seattle
Colorado’s offense is firing on all cylinders. Even with Landeskog and Lehkonen sidelined, the recent trade deadline additions of Kadri and Roy have made their top-nine forward group incredibly dangerous. MacKinnon is having a Hart Trophy-caliber season, and their power play, quarterbacked by Makar, is lethal.
Seattle has struggled to generate consistent offense during their recent slump. They have relied heavily on goaltender Joey Daccord to keep games close, but the absence of Schwartz removes a key piece of their top six. When the Avalanche establish their blistering pace, the Kraken may find it difficult to keep up for a full 60 minutes.
Colorado Avalanche Injury Report
- Gabriel Landeskog (LW): OUT. Week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
- Artturi Lehkonen (LW): OUT. Upper-body injury; expected back in a couple of weeks.
- Logan O’Connor (RW): OUT. Recovering from off-season hip surgery.
Seattle Kraken Injury Report
- Jaden Schwartz (LW): OUT. Out indefinitely with an upper-body injury (facial cut).
- Matt Murray (G): Day-to-Day. Recently activated from IR but likely easing back into the rotation behind Daccord and Grubauer.
Key Storylines
The Return of Kadri
Colorado made a big splash on the 2026 trade deadline by re-acquiring Nazem Kadri. His return instantly solidifies their center depth and brings championship swagger to a team that already boasts the NHL’s best record (42-10-9).
Kraken’s Wild Card Desperation
Seattle is clinging to hopes of securing the second Wild Card spot in the West. With teams like San Jose and Los Angeles breathing down their necks, the Kraken desperately need points, making every home game critical to keeping their playoff dreams alive.
Fun Facts
- MacKinnon’s MVP Pace: Nathan MacKinnon entered the week leading the entire NHL in both goals (26) and points (55).
- Deadline Shakeup: To make room for their big trade additions, the Avalanche parted ways with long-time defenseman Samuel Girard, trading him to Pittsburgh for Brett Kulak.
Final Thoughts
