NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Canucks vs. Kraken
Canucks vs. Kraken Odds
The Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken have created what could be the newest rivalry in the NHL, and whenever these two teams get together, there is always a ton of excitement.
The Canucks have won both meetings this season, and they have actually won all six meetings between the two teams. But this will be the latter half of a back-to-back from Vancouver after an emotional game against the Blackhawks last night in Rick Tocchet’s debut as the new head coach.
The Kraken are looking to get their first-ever win against Vancouver, and my guess is that they will score a ton of goals in doing so. These games are always very high scoring.
New Life Under New Vancouver Canucks Coach?
The Vancouver Canucks welcomed in their new head coach, Tocchet, with open arms last night by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks, 5-2. They played an incredible 60 minutes, totally dominating Chicago and outshooting them 47-14.
This win ended the Canucks’ losing skid at three games, and now they have turned a new leaf, looking for any positives to take away this season considering how much of a mess it has been thus far.
The offense has probably been the only positive for the Canucks this season, averaging 3.28 goals per game with a phenomenal power play that is converting at 23.6%.
Defensively speaking, though, they’re a complete disaster. Vancouver has the worst penalty kill in the league at 65.9%, and they allow the second most goals against per game: 3.96.
Spencer Martin is the expected starter for Vancouver, and this season has been a struggle for him. He enters tonight with an 11-12-1 record along with a .877 save percentage and a 3.86 goals-against average. Martin will most likely struggle tonight.
Seattle Kraken Continue to Surprise
The Seattle Kraken have been one of the biggest surprises – if not the biggest – in the NHL this season. They are currently two points back from the first-place Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific division.
The Kraken haven’t been able to beat the Canucks since entering the NHL, and tonight they will be hungry for those two points on home ice.
Seattle has played excellent hockey in their most recent stretch, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, but their offensive production has been a little more inconsistent than they would like. The Kraken have scored 16 goals in their last five games, and they are the fourth-highest-scoring offense in the NHL, averaging 3.61 goals per game.
Martin Jones is the expected starter in goal, and he has been helping his team win games, but by no means has he stood on his head this season. Jones boasts a 22-6-3 record, which is amazing, but he skates to a .895 save percentage and a 2.84 goals-against average.
In Jones’ defense, his team doesn’t necessarily bail him out. The Kraken have the second-worst penalty kill in the league, skating to a 70.5%, and in all strengths, they allow 3.09 goals against per game.
They will certainly allow some scoring chances again tonight.
Canucks vs. Kraken Pick
Both the Canucks and Kraken are offensive-driven teams. The Canucks exploded for five goals last night and will look to carry that momentum into this battle against the rival across the border.
The over has hit in five straight games between these two, and I have to go with the over here.
