Washington Capitals vs Seattle Kraken Picks and Predictions October 21st 2025

Washington Capitals vs Seattle Kraken NHL Preview: Catton’s First Crack at Caps

The Seattle Kraken vs Washington Capitals is set for Tuesday, October 21, 2025, as Seattle’s first-round rookie, Berkly Catton, takes on the Capitals after a memorable NHL debut. The Kraken are looking to bounce back from their first regulation loss of the season (5-2 to Philadelphia) and avoid dropping both games of their back-to-back.

Catton, the 19-year-old natural center, recorded an assist on Jordan Eberle’s goal in his debut, playing left wing on the top line in place of the injured Jared McCann. Now, he and the Kraken face a Capitals team that had its four-game winning streak snapped in a 4-3 loss to Vancouver on Sunday.

For the Capitals, the focus is on a better start after trailing 4-0 early in the second period against the Canucks. Coach Spencer Carbery stressed that the first period “basically determines the game.” The team will look to veterans like Alex Ovechkin and defense, which is ranked 2nd in goals against, to secure the win on home ice.

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Line Movement and Betting Odds

The latest betting lines list the Washington Capitals as strong home favorites at –256, while the Seattle Kraken are heavy +213 underdogs. The total is set at 5.5 runs, with early action leaning toward the under, reflecting both teams’ focus on defensive play and goaltending.

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Matchup Breakdown

Seattle is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Flyers, but their 3-1-2 start shows they are a competitive team. Rookie Berkly Catton provided an immediate spark with an assist, praised by teammate Jaden Schwartz for his “vision, his skill set” and ability to “make a lot of little plays.” The Kraken will rely on the consistent production of Jordan Eberle and Vince Dunn, as well as the reliable goaltending of Joey Daccord, who has three wins in five starts. Jared McCann (Lower Body) is questionable.

The Capitals, 4-2-0 on the season, need a strong performance from the top of the lineup. Captain Alex Ovechkin, despite a slow start (1 goal, 3 assists), is always a threat. Tom Wilson and Dylan Strome are expected to drive the offense. Center Pierre-Luc Dubois (Lower Body) remains out for his fourth consecutive game, a significant loss for the center depth.

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Key Storylines

The Rookie Watch is the main story for Seattle. Berkly Catton’s quick success in his debut on the top line will test his ability to handle the quick turnaround of a back-to-back road game against a physical Washington squad.

Washington’s Slow Start Syndrome needs to be addressed immediately. Surrendering a 4-0 lead early against Vancouver prompted Coach Carbery’s call for better intensity from the opening puck drop. They must use the energy of the home crowd at Capital One Arena to set the tone early and avoid another momentum-shifting deficit.

The Goaltending Battle could determine the winner. Both Kraken goaltending (led by Joey Daccord) and the Capitals defense rank highly in goals against, suggesting a low-scoring, tight affair.

Prediction

The Washington Capitals have the advantage coming off a loss that served as a major wake-up call, and they’ll be at home against a Seattle team playing its second game in as many nights. Expect the Capitals to heed their coach’s warning and come out with better energy in the first period, leaning on their strong defensive play to shut down the Kraken offense. The game will be close, but Washington’s experience and home ice should prevail.

Projected Score: Washington Capitals 3, Seattle Kraken 2

Best Bet: Under 5.5 (+109)

Secondary Lean: Capitals MoneyLine -256

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