Kraken vs Sharks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

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30 January 2024

Kraken vs Sharks Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

The San Jose Sharks have been abysmal all season, and while Seattle has struggled offensively, its defense has stepped up. With two struggling offenses set to square off, our NHL picks are expecting the netminders to have an easy night.

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The San Jose Sharks host the Seattle Kraken in a Pacific Division tilt to conclude Tuesday’s two-game NHL slate. NHL odds have Seattle as a large road favorite while the total has bounced between 5.5 and six.

The Under has been a profitable bet when these two have squared off over the past couple of seasons, cashing in six of the eight all-time meetings.

Will we see another low-scoring affair, or can the goal scoring pick up this time around? Find out in my free NHL picks for the Kraken vs. Sharks on Tuesday, January 30.

Kraken vs Sharks odds

Kraken vs Sharks predictions

Goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood is slated to guard the cage for the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday evening and could be a good candidate to back. Entering this contest in good form, Blackwood is 2-0-1 with a commanding .933 SV% and 1.93 GAA over his past three starts.

There were five or fewer total goals scored in two of those three outings. This success could continue against the Seattle Kraken, a team he is 1-0-1 against in his career with a .908 SV% and 3.01 GAA.

Furthermore, the Kraken’s offense is certainly not anything to be too concerned about. This season, they rank 27th in the league in goals scored per game and 24th in shots on goal allowed per game.

Their underlying metrics suggest that positive regression is unlikely as they rank 23rd in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. The blue line, on the other hand, has been much stronger as Seattle sits in the Top 10 of the league in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game, and penalty minutes taken per game.

While its offensive analytics are poor, the defensive metrics are on the opposite end of the spectrum, ranking second in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5. Backing up this tremendous defensive team is goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who has admittedly played poorly this season.

With that said, he certainly doesn’t need his sharpest stuff to take care of business against the Sharks, a team that ranks in the Bottom 2 of the league in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, and shooting percentage. Unsurprisingly, positive regression is unlikely as San Jose ranks 30th in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.

My best bet: Under 5.5 (+100 at bet365)

Kraken vs Sharks same-game parlay

Under 5.5

Kraken moneyline

While I like the Under in this matchup, this same game parlay is a way to involve betting the Kraken at plus money. Offensively, they pace San Jose in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, power play percentage and shooting percentage. They also rank higher in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.

The same rings true defensively, ranking higher in goals allowed per game, shots on goal allowed per game, penalty kill percentage and penalty minutes taken per game. Additionally, Seattle also ranks higher in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

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Kraken vs Sharks moneyline and Over/Under analysis

The Kraken opened as a –205 favorite and have since been bet up to -225. I think the market is going to keep inflating this line, mainly for all the aforementioned variables above.

That brings us to the total, which opened at 5.5 and remains at that number. There are books where six is available, however, I would rather play Under 5.5 at plus money than lay a larger price on Under six.