Colorado Avalanche vs. Seattle Kraken Game 3 Prediction, NHL Odds
The Kraken return home after dropping a 3-2 decision to Colorado in Game 2 that leaves their NHL first-round playoff series all tied up at one game apiece. Seattle has posted just four wins in its past 10 home dates and sports the weakest home record of any team in this year’s NHL playoffs. Thursday’s victory marked the Avalanche’s 17th win in their past 21 games with the club going a perfect 11-0-0 on the road over that stretch.
In the wake of Colorado’s narrow 3-2 comeback victory on Thursday night, the Avalanche are listed as -157 favourites in Saturday’s NHL odds to claim their first lead of the series. The Kraken lag as +129 underdogs, and the total is listed at 6.0, with UNDER pegged as -120 chalk.
Avalanche vs. Kraken NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
Thursday’s victory snapped Colorado’s two-game losing streak in head-to-head action. However, the Kraken still hold the edge with wins in three of their five overall dates with the Avs so far this season. Low scoring has been commonplace when these teams meet, with the total not exceeding 5.0 during a 6-0 run for the UNDER.
The Avalanche have made up for lost ground on the NHL playoff series prices with their Game 2 victory. Colorado now sits as short -256 chalk to eventually eliminate the Kraken, while Seattle trails as a +220 bet, However, a long series is expected, with the odds of this matchup going OVER 5.5 games listed at -286.
Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche needed a spirited comeback in Game 2 to get themselves back into this series. Trailing 2-0 after 20 minutes, the defending Stanley Cup champions took control the rest of the way, outshooting the Kraken by a wide 31-18 margin over the final 40 minutes and sealing the win with Devon Toews’ first goal of the postseason.
Toews led the attack with a goal and an assist and has now produced multiple points in three of his past six outings. Nathan MacKinnon recorded eight shots on the night to bring his series total to 15. However, MacKinnon has yet to find the back of the net through two games and has scored in just two of his past seven outings. The Avalanche’s depth has also been impacted by injuries, with veterans Jack Johnson, Andrew Cogliano, and Lars Eller all listed as questionable with an array of ailments.
Seattle Kraken
For the second time in as many games, the Kraken set the tone early on with an early goal on Thursday night. However, unlike Game 1, the team was unable to withstand the Avalanche’s resurgence as the game progressed.
Despite Thursday’s defeat, Philipp Grubauer remains the star of the series for Seattle. The former Avs goaltender has stopped 72 of the 76 total shots he has faced to date, and has limited opponents to two or fewer goals in seven of his past 10 outings. The hero of Game 1, Alex Wennberg failed to duplicate his two-point effort on Thursday, going pointless for just the second time in five games. This club also needs more out of the trio of Jordan Eberle, Jared McCann, and Marty Beniers, who have failed to make the scoresheet while generating just nine total shots on goal through the first two games of the series.
Game 3: Who Will Win Avalanche vs. Kraken?
Another fast start will be crucial for the Kraken if they are to have any chance against an Avs squad that is finding its form. And with the club’s top shooters failing to produce thus far, the burden will once again be placed on the shoulders of Philipp Grubauer to shut down the vaunted Colorado attack.
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