Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction

Seattle Kraken vs Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction - March 21, 2026

Note: Final picks on our picks page may differ from this article's prediction, as they incorporate last-minute goalie confirmations, injury updates, and live odds closer to game time. Always check the picks page for the most up-to-date selections.

The Seattle Kraken travel to Columbus for a matchup that tells a fascinating story through the lens of contrasting trajectories. While Seattle has struggled to consistency this season, the Columbus Blue Jackets have established themselves as one of the league's steadiest teams. This Kraken vs Blue Jackets prediction hinges on which team's underlying performance metrics will carry the day in what shapes up as a competitive but decidedly one-sided matchup on paper.

Team Form & Recent Performance

Columbus enters this contest in exceptional form, posting a 7-0-3 record with four wins over their last five games. That's the resume of a team playing disciplined, structured hockey and capitalizing when opportunities arise. The Blue Jackets have built a reliable foundation—they're winning games they should win and staying competitive in tight contests.

Seattle, by contrast, sits at 4-6-0 with just two wins in their last five games. The Kraken are clearly still searching for consistency, and while two recent victories suggest they're capable of competing, the overall record indicates they're not yet where they need to be. Both teams have normal rest with one day between games, so fatigue will not be a differentiating factor in this contest.

Advanced Stats Comparison

This is where the analytical advantage becomes stark for Columbus. The Blue Jackets dominate the underlying metrics that predict long-term success.

Corsi For Percentage (CF%): Columbus leads significantly at 50.3%, meaning they're controlling the puck and generating more shot attempts than they allow. Seattle's 45.17% suggests they're being out-possessed and relying more on opportunism than dominance.

Expected Goals For Percentage (xGF%): Columbus's 53.05% indicates they're generating higher-quality scoring chances. Seattle's 46.0% reveals they're actually generating fewer quality opportunities than their opponents—a concerning long-term indicator.

High-Danger Chances For Percentage (HDCF%): The Blue Jackets' 48.15% shows they're winning the close-range battle. Seattle's 42.98% means they're vulnerable in high-danger areas, giving up more Grade-A chances than they create.

In every measurable category, Columbus possesses the superior underlying game. This isn't a matter of variance—the Blue Jackets are simply playing better hockey.

Goalie Matchup

Joey Daccord has carried much of Seattle's workload, posting a 19-17-5 record in what's been a rebuilding season for the Kraken. While Daccord has shown flashes of competence, he's asked to make highlight-reel saves consistently given the team's underlying numbers.

Elvis Merzlikins gets the nod for Columbus with an impressive 13-9-3 mark. Merzlikins has benefited from Columbus's superior team play, which translates into fewer high-danger chances against him. He's operating in a system where he makes routine saves on routine chances—a massive advantage over Daccord's situation.

Prediction

WP Hockey Predictor favors the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 54.0% win probability, compared to Seattle's 46.0%. Our prediction calculator identifies the Blue Jackets as the more likely victor.

The reasoning is clear: Columbus controls this game across every analytical dimension. Superior Corsi, better expected goals generation, and higher-danger chance creation all point to a team that's simply playing more efficient hockey. While Seattle is capable of stealing games on any given night—and their recent two-win stretch proves they can compete—the structural advantages favor Columbus.

For your NHL picks, this is a classic situation where the analytics align with the eye test. The Kraken Blue Jackets pick goes to Columbus, not because Seattle is powerless, but because the underlying metrics suggest the Blue Jackets will control play and capitalize on their advantages.