Seattle Kraken at Colorado Avalanche odds, picks and predictions

The Seattle Kraken and the Colorado Avalanche square off Sunday for a decisive Game 7 of the Western Conference quarterfinals, as the series shifts back to Denver. Puck drop from Ball Arena is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Kraken vs. Avalanche odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Series tied 3-3

Win or lose, the Kraken have impressed in their 1st-ever trip to the postseason. Seattle suffered a disappointing 4-1 loss on home ice in Game 6, a closeout game. Still, the Kraken have scored 16 goals in the first 6 games, to 18 scored for the Avalanche, more than holding their own against the defending champs.

The Avalanche had their backs to the wall in Game 6, but showed its championship mettle, despite playing without the likes of Gabriel Landeskog (knee – out for the playoffs) and Valeri Nichushkin (personal). Darren Helm has also been sidelined due to an undisclosed injury.

In addition, Andrew Cogliano was hit from behind near the boards by Jordan Eberle in Game 6, and he suffered a fractured bone in his neck. Cogliano is now out indefinitely. Amazingly, Cogliano was able to return to the game after the hit, but he is now sidelined, too.

Colorado has dropped 2 of 3 games on home ice, and Seattle actually went 26-11-4 on the road, while going just 20-17-4 at home. So the ability for the Kraken to win on the road is no real surprise.

Kraken at Avalanche odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:01 a.m. ET.

Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!

Kraken at Avalanche projected goalies

Philipp Grubauer (17-14-4, 2.85 GAA, .895 SV% – regular season) vs. Alexandar Georgiev (40-16-6, 2.53 GAA, .919 SV%, 5 SO – regular season)

Grubauer has allowed 3 or fewer goals in each of his last 3 games, and he has served as a real thorn in the side of his former teammates. Grubauer is 3-3-0 with a 2.68 GAA and .919 SV% in this postseason, including 2 wins in Denver.

Georgiev kicked aside 22 of the 23 shots he faced in Game 6, keep the Avalanche afloat for this decisive Game 7. He has posted a 3-3-0 record, 2.69 GAA and .913 SV% in his 6 starts, his 1st 6 playoff starts in the NHL.

Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Kraken at Avalanche picks and predictions

Prediction

Kraken 3, Avalanche 2

The KRAKEN (+180) are worth a roll of the dice, as they’re actually a much better team on the road than at home.

Yes, it’s a difficult spot playing in a Game 7 on the road, especially against the defending champs. But this team doesn’t have the same firepower as they had last season, and they’re certainly beatable. At plus-money, for a chance to nearly double up, Seattle is a much better value.

I also like the postseason experience of Grubauer over Georgiev, who is playing his 1st Game 7.

As an added bonus, Seattle has been led by Justin Schultz with a goal and 5 points in these playoffs. Jaden Schwartz has 2 goals and 5 points to tie Schultz atop the charts. Schwartz is worth playing at BetMGM Sportsbook in the scoring props at even-money, or SCHWARTZ OVER 0.5 POINTS (+100).

The KRAKEN +1.5 (-145) isn’t priced out of line if you feel this will be a 1-goal game going in favor of the home side instead. No one can blame you for wanting some insurance, and not wanting to pick against the defending champ Avalanche -1.5 (+120).

UNDER 6 (-120) might be the best pick on the board in this Game 7.

We’ve seen the Under cash in 5 of the 6 games in this series so far, and we should see both sides being very calculated on the offensive end, not wanting to make a mistake leading to an odd-man rush the other way. I could even see this one as a 1-1 or 2-2 game heading to OT to decide a winner.