Quick Read
- Seattle Kraken beat Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Dec 22, 2025, in Anaheim.
- Jordan Eberle scored twice for the Kraken, including an empty-net goal.
- Philipp Grubauer made 38 saves, shutting down the Ducks’ offense.
- Mikael Granlund scored Anaheim’s only goal as Ducks dominated possession but struggled to convert.
- Both teams faced key injuries affecting lineups and tactics.
Kraken Outlast Ducks 3-1: Eberle’s Double and Grubauer’s Heroics Highlight Tight NHL Battle
- Seattle Kraken secured a 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Anaheim on December 22, 2025.
- Jordan Eberle scored twice for the Kraken, including an empty-netter, while Philipp Grubauer made 38 saves.
- Mikael Granlund netted the lone Ducks goal as Anaheim dominated possession but failed to break through.
Eberle’s Finishing Touches and Grubauer’s Wall
In a matchup that pitted resilience against offensive ambition, the Seattle Kraken emerged victorious against the Anaheim Ducks in their final game before the holiday break. The 3-1 scoreline only hints at the intensity and tactical nuance on display at Honda Center, as Jordan Eberle’s clinical finishing and Philipp Grubauer’s steadfast goaltending ultimately tipped the scales. (ESPN, NHL.com)
The first period unfolded with both teams probing, but neither able to find a breakthrough. The Ducks, missing star forward Leo Carlsson due to a lower-body injury, leaned on Mikael Granlund for offensive spark. But despite Anaheim controlling the puck for long stretches and testing Grubauer, the Kraken netminder proved an immovable object.
Second Period: Power Play Precision and Ducks’ Response
The game sprang to life in the second period. On Seattle’s second power play, Frederick Gaudreau capitalized after a scramble in front, slotting home the opener at 4:49, with assists from Shane Wright and Kaapo Kakko. It was a goal born from persistence—Wright’s initial close-range effort was denied, but the rebound fell kindly for Gaudreau, who made no mistake.
The Ducks, undeterred, responded through Mikael Granlund. At 15:40, Jacob Trouba fired a wrist shot from the right circle, which Granlund expertly redirected past Grubauer. The home crowd roared, sensing momentum shifting, but the Kraken defense regrouped, weathering a late Ducks surge. (NHL.com, The Hockey News)
Third Period: Eberle Delivers Under Pressure
With the score knotted at 1-1, the tension escalated. Both teams ramped up physical play, trading hits and battling for every loose puck. Anaheim continued to press, but Grubauer’s glove was always there—stopping wrist shots, tip-ins, and wraparounds from Mason McTavish, Troy Terry, and Beckett Sennecke.
The breakthrough came at 10:04, when Jordan Eberle, set up by Matty Beniers and Kaapo Kakko, snapped a shot past Ducks goalie Lukáš Dostál to give Seattle the lead. As the Ducks pressed for an equalizer, Eberle struck again—this time into an empty net with 36 seconds left, sealing the win and silencing the Anaheim faithful. (Yahoo Sports, ESPN)
Injuries, Line Changes, and Missed Opportunities
Injuries shaped the narrative as much as tactics. The Ducks coped without Leo Carlsson, shifting Granlund to the top line and giving Jansen Harkins his first start since early December. The Kraken, meanwhile, were missing Jaden Schwartz, Jared McCann, and Berkly Catton, and had just lost defenseman Brandon Montour to hand surgery.
Both coaches emphasized the importance of patience and defensive discipline. “We didn’t give up anything and we had some looks,” Ducks coach Joel Quenneville noted, praising his team’s defensive effort but lamenting their inability to finish chances. Kraken head coach Lane Lambert acknowledged Anaheim’s talent, describing them as “extremely talented” and capable of hurting opponents in multiple ways.
Despite dominating possession and leading in shots, Anaheim couldn’t solve Grubauer, who racked up 38 saves. Troy Terry and Mason McTavish repeatedly found shooting lanes, but the Kraken goalie closed the door every time. The Ducks left the ice knowing they matched Seattle’s intensity, but lacked the final touch.
Stat Sheet and Takeaways
- Goals: SEA – Gaudreau (PP), Eberle (2); ANA – Granlund
- Goaltending: Philipp Grubauer (SEA) – 38 saves; Lukáš Dostál (ANA) – strong but outdueled
- Key Absences: Carlsson (Ducks), Schwartz, McCann, Catton, Montour (Kraken)
- Physical Play: Both teams traded heavy hits, with Ross Johnston and Radko Gudas leading for Anaheim; Jamie Oleksiak and Adam Larsson for Seattle
For Anaheim, the story was missed opportunities. For Seattle, it was about capitalizing on chances and standing firm under pressure.
Seattle’s victory wasn’t just about skill—it was about grit, adaptation, and seizing moments. In a league where margins are razor-thin, the Kraken proved that timely goals and elite goaltending can overcome even the most determined opposition. As the holiday break arrives, both teams will be reflecting: the Ducks on what slipped away, the Kraken on what resilience delivered. (ESPN, NHL.com, The Hockey News)