Seattle Kraken vs. Toronto Maple Leafs Prediction, NHL Odds
The Maple Leafs escaped with a narrow 2-1 victory over the slumping New York Rangers on Thursday, marking their first one-goal victory of the season. The Kraken continue the search for their first victory on their current six-game road trip. The club followed up Tuesday’s 5-4 loss in Montreal with a 2-1 defeat in Ottawa on Thursday night, and have now lost 11 of 16 on the road since late February.
The Maple Leafs lead the way as -220 home favourites on Saturday’s NHL odds, and have emerged as a short +110 wager on the NHL puck line. The Kraken trail as +180 underdogs and the total is pegged at 6.
Kraken vs. Maple Leafs NHL Betting Odds
The Leafs have dominated the Kraken in head-to-head action since Seattle joined the NHL four years ago, posting wins in each of their past five meetings and in seven of their eight all-time clashes. Toronto has slammed the door on the Kraken attack, surrendering just one goal in four of their past five meetings including both matchups last season, and have seen four of their five most recent wins over Seattle come by multi-goal margins. With Kraken shooters struggling, the UNDER has paid out in five of the past six dates between these clubs. The trend extends to Toronto’s recent action, with the UNDER paying out in two of the first three games on the Maple Leafs’ current home stand.
Overall, the Leafs have surrendered just 2.50 goals per game on home ice this season, but have averaged five goals per game while posting three straight wins over visiting Western Conference opponents. The Kraken have managed to avoid losing in regulation so far this season, with 60 minutes solving nothing in each of their past three games including Thursday’s shootout loss in Ottawa. That carries over a trend from last season, with seven of Seattle’s past nine overall contests getting settled by just one goal.
Seattle Kraken
For the first time this season, Jared McCann was held off the scoresheet in Thursday’s loss to the Senators. The team’s leading point getter last season, with 22 goals and 39 assists, McCann bulged the twine in each of the first three games of the season and shares the team lead with Brandon Montour and Vince Dunn, each with four points. However, the veteran forward has failed to record a point in his past two appearances against Toronto, ending a four-game head-to-head point streak, during which he scored three times and added three assists. Chandler Stephenson finally snapped a three-game scoring drought to start the campaign with a pair of markers in Thursday’s loss, but has potted just one total goal in his past 11 dates with the Leafs.
Toronto Maple Leafs
After struggling at times over the first week of the season, goaltender Anthony Stolarz stood tall on Thursday night, turning aside 28 of 29 shots faced to backstop the Leafs to a 2-1 overtime win over the Rangers. Stolarz has particularly struggled in last weekend’s home-and-home series with Detroit, allowing seven goals on 48 total shots, and has allowed just two total goals in three previous appearances against Seattle. Auston Matthews has also picked up the pace. The Leafs captain sealed Thursday’s victory with an overtime marker and has now scored three times in the past two games including the game winners in both of those contests. William Nylander continues to lead the squad with nine points after picking up a pair of assists on Thursday, and has compiled five points in his past two games and recorded multiple points in three of his first five outings of the season.
