Kraken vs. Canucks Odds
| Team Odds | +155 |
| Team Odds | -190 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (-110 / -110) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
We have a Pacific Division tilt, as the eighth-place Seattle Kraken travel to Vancouver to take on the fifth-place Canucks.
This is the fourth meeting between these two teams this season, as the Canucks have won all three of the previous matchups by at least a two-goal margin.
Will Vancouver blow out Seattle once again, or can the Kraken keep this matchup closer?
Seattle's Troubles Lie on Road, In Goal
The Seattle Kraken enter this duel amidst a two-game road losing streak. Playing away from home this season has been a monumental challenge for Seattle, as it's just 15-21-3 on the road.
Over its last 16 games as a road underdog, Seattle is just 3-13. Of those 13 losses, nine have been by at least a two-goal margin.
Philipp Grubauer is the projected starter for Seattle in this matchup, and he has been one of the worst starting goaltenders in the league this season.
Currently, Grubauer possesses a 0.890 save percentage and ranks dead-last amongst starting goaltenders in five-on-five goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx).
Grubauer's form has been particularly poor recently, as he has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four starts, posting a mere 0.879 save percentage over that stretch.
In his two starts against Vancouver this year, Grubauer has allowed seven goals on 59 shots for a 0.881 save percentage.
We should not expect scoring help from Seattle either, as the Kraken rank just 31st in the league this season in five-on-five expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF). Over their last nine contests, the Kraken are averaging just 2.56 goals scored per game.
Canucks' Demko Stars at Home
The Vancouver Canucks also enter this game in poor form, as they have lost three straight games following Saturday's 6-3 road loss to the Calgary Flames. However, returning to home ice is a great opportunity to buy low on Vancouver against an inferior opponent in the Kraken.
Vancouver has dominated Seattle all season, and I expect more of the same from it on home ice. Over its last five home games, Vancouver is 4-1, with three of those four wins coming by at least a two-goal margin.
Thatcher Demko is the projected starting goaltender for Vancouver, and he has been dominant on home ice this season, boasting a 0.922 save percentage at Rogers Arena.
Currently, Demko ranks sixth amongst starting goaltenders in five-on-five goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx).
In his three starts against Seattle this season, Demko is 3-0 with a spectacular 0.933 save percentage. Demko should get plenty of scoring help, as the Canucks are averaging 4.3 goals scored per game over their last 10 contests.
Kraken vs. Canucks Pick
I believe we are getting such a short number on the puck line due to Vancouver losing three straight games. However, two of those three loses were to Calgary and Minnesota.
Vancouver has bullied Seattle all year, and I do not see why there is any reason to expect a different outcome this time around.
Vancouver has the better goaltender, better offense and home-ice advantage.
Pick: Vancouver Canucks -1.5 (+105) | Play up to (-110)
