Kraken vs. Devils Odds
| Kraken Odds | +125 |
| Devils Odds | -150 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -105 / -115 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Seattle Kraken vs. New Jersey Devils on Monday, February 12 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The postseason is quickly falling out of reach for both the Seattle Kraken and New Jersey Devils.
Seattle has dropped two in a row and seven of its past 10, albeit with one loss coming in overtime, to fall six points back of the final wild card in the Western Conference. That's identical to what we've seen from the Devils, who are 3-6-1 over their last 10 and entering Monday's inter-conference battle on a two-game losing streak.
Neither team has looked exceptional over the past few weeks, but if we narrow in on the Kraken's more recent performances, there are signs that they are poised for a breakout. That leaves an appealing edge in backing them as underdogs against the Devils.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken's slide has relegated them to an unenviable position in the Western Conference. Just a few weeks ago, Seattle was clutching to a playoff spot, riding the momentum of a nine-game winning streak. Now, they are six points back of a spot, needing to leapfrog three teams ahead of them to get there. Thankfully, the Kraken have been laying the groundwork with their on-ice performances, which should precipitate better results.
Seattle has dialed up the offensive intensity lately. The NHL's newest franchise has attempted 13 or more high-danger chances in three of their past five, averaging 10.8 quality opportunities over that stretch. Likewise, we've also seen an increase in their scoring chances, with Seattle averaging 26.0 per game while surpassing 29 chances in three of those contests.
More importantly, the Kraken have increased their offensive efficiency without compromising their defensive structure. They've out-chanced their opponents in high-danger and scoring opportunities in all but one of their last five while, resulting in a 56.8% scoring chance rating and a 58.0% high-danger chance percentage.
Predictably, that increased offensive production coincides with an amplified expected goals-for rating. Seattle's benchmark has ticked up to 56.3% over that five-game sample, exceeding 59.7% in three of those outings. More wins should start to follow those improved efforts, starting with the Devils on Monday night.
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New Jersey Devils
The Devils haven't matched Seattle's offensive gusto over their recent sample. Hell, they haven't even come close to matching their own. New Jersey has been held to nine or fewer quality chances in three of five, for an average of 9.2 opportunities per game. Scoring chances have also been in short supply. The Devils have eclipsed 21 in just two of their previous five, yielding a per-game average of 20.0.
Both of those benchmarks come in below their respective season-long averages of 9.3 and 22.5, implying the Devils are likely in the midst of a dry spell, with no signs of breaking out on the horizon.
Sadly, the anemic offense coincides with a struggling defense, leaving the Devils nowhere to hide. New Jersey has given up ten or more high-danger chances in all but one of its past four, out-chancing their opponents just once over that stretch. Similarly, their last four opponents have all attempted at least 23 scoring opportunities, forcing the Devils to chase the puck in their own end.
The Devils are stuck in a bad spot. They can't get anything going offensively, but they also can't prevent opponents from railroading them in their own end. Until they figure it out, more losses are expected to follow.
Kraken vs. Devils
Betting Pick & Prediction
There are no more carrots to dangle in New Jersey. The Devils haven't matched last year's success, and it seems increasingly unlikely that they return to those lofty heights.
Conversely, the Kraken appears to be trending upward. Seattle has improved its on-ice product, laying the framework for improved outcomes as wins start to pile up.
As such, we're using tonight's spot to back the underdog Kraken, backing them at +110 or better.
Pick: Kraken ML (+132)
