Seattle Kraken vs. Vegas Golden Knights Prediction, NHL Odds
Once they wrap up the evening’s pre-game celebrations in inimitable Vegas style, the Golden Knights will be seeking to maintain the momentum that earned them 21 wins in their final 27 home dates, on their way to last season’s championship win. The Kraken return to action looking to build on a successful 100-point campaign that earned them their first-ever playoff berth last season, but must first overcome a two-game losing streak on opening night.
The Golden Knights are set to hit the ice on Tuesday night as -175 home favourites on the NHL opening night odds. The Kraken lag as +145 underdogs, while the total is pegged at 6.0.
Kraken vs. Golden Knights NHL Betting Odds
Tuesday night’s matchup marks the first of four scheduled regular season meetings between these Pacific Division rivals. The Golden Knights took three of four from Seattle last season while limiting the Kraken to just two goals per game, and have skated to victory in seven of eight all-time dates with the NHL’s newest franchise, capped by back-to-back victories to close out last season’s schedule.
With the Kraken struggling to generate offence, the UNDER has paid out in three straight clashes between these clubs. Indeed, Seattle has managed to score more than two goals just twice in their past eight matchups with the Golden Knights.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken exceeded all expectations with last season’s march to the playoffs. However, the club’s streaky performance emerged as a concern throughout the campaign, and while they managed to shock the defending champion Colorado Avalanche with a stunning first-round series upset win in seven games, this team’s inconsistent offensive performance finally caught up with them in a second-round loss to Dallas.
A favourite whipping boy of fans and media alike while making stops in Vancouver, Florida, and Pittsburgh, Jared McCann has blossomed since arriving in Seattle. McCann led the club last season with 70 points, but was held pointless in four dates with Vegas. Reigning Calder trophy winner Matty Beniers is expected to take the next step after enjoying a 57-point rookie season, while Jaden Schwartz was one of the few Kraken shooters to enjoy success against the Knights last season, scoring twice and recording three points in four games. Perhaps the greatest concern facing the Kraken entering the new season is goaltending. Once again, injuries were a factor for the German veteran Philipp Grubauer, who recorded just 17 wins in 36 starts, but stopped 42 of 46 total shots faced in two appearances versus Vegas last season.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights have plenty to celebrate on Tuesday night, but must avoid getting too lost in the moment ahead of an opening night date against a tough divisional opponent. While Vegas returns to action lagging behind the favourites as a +1200 bet on the Stanley Cup odds, naysayers discount them at their own peril. The club saw veterans Reilly Smith and Phil Kessel depart during the offseason, but the Golden Knights maintain a solid group of talented forwards, led by last season’s top producers Jack Eichel and Chandler Stephenson, each of whom racked up 68 points last season. Among the players that Vegas hopes will fill that void are rookie Pavel Dorofeyev and second-year man Paul Cotter. A talented playmaker, Dorofeyev impressed while racking up nine points in his first 10 games after getting called up in March, while Cotter contributed 13 goals in 55 games in his first full NHL campaign last season.
With little hope of Robin Lehner returning anytime soon, the Golden Knights will once again put goaltending duties in the hands of Adin Hill and Logan Thompson. Hill is expected to get the call on Tuesday night after emerging as the team’s No. 1 during last spring’s Stanley Cup run, when he compiled an 11-4-0 record in 16 appearances, and limited the Florida Panthers to just 12 total goals in five Stanley Cup Final contests.
Expect the Golden Knights to cap Tuesday’s festivities with another stingy performance against Seattle.