NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Avalanche vs. Kraken Game 6 (Friday, April 28)

Avalanche vs. Kraken Game 6 Odds

The Seattle Kraken host the Colorado Avalanche in Game 6 of this NHL Western Conference series on Friday night.

There have now been five or fewer total goals scored in eight of the past nine meetings between these two clubs. Will we witness another low-scoring affair on Friday evening, or can the offenses pick things up this time around?

Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Avalanche vs. Kraken Game 6 betting pick.

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Avs' Offense Primed For Regression

The Colorado Avalanche have their backs against the wall after dropping two straight games in this series and could now hit the golf course much earlier than expected this offseason.

While Colorado's speed and playmaking often create an allure of an offensive powerhouse, its true specialty over the past couple of seasons under head coach Jared Bednar has been its ability to prevent high-danger scoring chances at an elite level.

This season, the Avs finished third in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.

Superstar and reigning Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar will make his return to the lineup on Friday after missing Game 5 due to a suspension for his late hit on Jared McCann.

Makar certainly needs no introduction, but the rest of this blue line is absolutely loaded with guys like Devon Toews, Samuel Girard and Bowen Byram.

While the defense continues to dominate, Colorado's offense is primed for regression.

Since the Christmas break, the Avs rank third in the league in goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60) at 5-on-5. However, they're just 16th in xGF/60.

This regression has hit hard in this series thus far, and it's something that is likely to continue in Game 6.

Trust in Kraken's Grubauer?

The Kraken's depth and ability to roll all four offensive lines and three defensive pairings is the reason they return home in Game 6 with a chance to advance to the next round.

Possessing perhaps one of the deeper blue lines in the league, Seattle throws out all six guys who all play their roles well.

While none of these blue liners are superstars by any stretch, they all contribute in a positive manner.

This season, all six guys finished with an on-ice expected goals percentage of 50% or higher.

Since the Christmas break, the Kraken rank second in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5. Meanwhile, over that same stretch, Seattle ranks just 21st in the league in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.

The Kraken are certainly not a big team by any means, nor deliver massive hits all over the ice, but it's a scrappy bunch that makes opponents earn every good look.

Goaltender Philipp Grubauer backs Seattle up and he has played extremely well against his former team in this series.

Over his five starts, Grubauer boasts a .918 save percentage (SV%) and 2.61 goals against average (GAA).

Avalanche vs. Kraken Pick

Grubauer's regular season performance is certainly a major concern as to whether or not these results are sustainable, but perhaps going against his former team is exactly the boost he needed.

Thus far, he ranks fourth among starting goaltenders in the postseason in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.

Across the ice, Alexandar Georgiev is slated to start in the crease for the Avs. Through the first five games of this series, he possesses a .906 SV% and 3.03 GAA.

I am laying the extra juice to take the Under at 6.5, although I would also take the Under at six for those who do not want to lay -143.

Pick: Under 6.5 (-143) | Play up to -149