The Kraken shocked the defending champions with a 3-1 victory in Tuesday’s series opener, which also marked the first NHL playoff game in the franchise’s short history. Tuesday’s defeat extended the Avalanche’s recent struggles on home ice, where they have now lost seven of their past 13 contests.

Despite their impressive performance in Game 1, the Kraken lag as +170 underdogs in Thursday’s NHL odds, while the Avs lead the way as -210 favourites. However, Seattle remains pegged as a -158 puckline bet to keep within one goal of the Avs. The total is set at 6.0 with -117 odds favouring the UNDER.

Kraken vs. Avalanche NHL Betting Odds

With Tuesday night’s victory, the Kraken have now taken four of five from the Avalanche since January 2022, including wins in each of their past three dates in Colorado. The total has not exceeded 5.0 during a 5-0 run for the UNDER, and Game 1 marked the first game in five matchups to be settled by a multi-goal margin.

The Kraken’s Game 1 success has given them a boost on the NHL playoff series prices. However, the Avs still lead the way as -137 favourites to advance, while Seattle is pegged at +121.

Seattle Kraken

The Kraken wasted no time drawing first blood in their first ever playoff appearance, seizing a 1-0 lead just 3:26 in, and repelled the Avalanche’s sustained third-period rally on their way to the win. Former Colorado netminder Philipp Grubauer stood tool in his first postseason clash with his former teammates, turning aside 34 of 35 shots including all 27 shots faced over the final two periods. While the top unit of Jared McCann, Jordan Eberle, and Matty Beniers mustered just three total shots on goal, the supporting cast stepped up. Alex Wennberg snapped an eight-game scoring drought by potting the game-winning goal and also set up Morgan Geekie’s insurance marker. Eeli Tolvanen continued his recent steady play by scoring the team’s first ever playoff goal, and has now scored in two of his past three playoff appearances against Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche

For the first time in six games, the Avalanche failed to open the scoring in Game 1, and their slow start proved costly against an opportunistic and highly motivated Kraken team that has owned them on home ice over the past year. The Avs have now managed to score just nine total goals in their past five dates with the Kraken, and have failed to find the back of the net after 40 minutes in each of their past three meetings. Colorado was not without its chances. Nathan MacKinnon showed his frustration while being denied on all seven of his shots on goal. MacKinnon has now failed to score in three straight home dates, and has potted just one total goal in four dates with Seattle this season. Compounding matters is the team’s continued struggles with the extra man. After going 0-for-4 on Tuesday, Colorado has gone just 5-for-35 on the power play over their past nine games including three goals against bottom-feeding Anaheim on April 9.

NHL Prediction: Who Will Win Kraken vs. Avalanche?

KRAKEN

Away

2

AVALANCHE

Home

3

Score
Predictions

Matchup

It is realistic to expect the Avalanche to rebound in Game 2. The defending champions sport the firepower necessary to finally overcome Seattle’s stingy game plan. However, the first goal will be pivotal in what is shaping up to be a long, grinding series.