NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Blackhawks vs Kraken (Wednesday, January 24)
Via Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images. Pictured: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Seattle Kraken tends the net during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on December 4, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-2.
Blackhawks vs. Kraken Odds
| Blackhawks Odds | +230 |
| Kraken Odds | -285 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -115/ -105 |
Two NHL teams in desperate search of a win meet at Climate Pledge Arena on Wednesday, when the Seattle Kraken host the Chicago Blackhawks on TNT.
With their star rookie, Connor Bedard, headlining a lengthy injured list, the Blackhawks are struggling to score — and win on the road. They'll be playing their second contest of a four-game trip on Wednesday night as they look to snap a lengthy streak of futility.
The Kraken have also been dealing with some injuries and have dropped their last four games. However, goaltender Philipp Grubauer looks set to make his return, and some other help could also soon be on the way.
On home ice, the Blackhawks won the first game of this season series at the United Center by a 4-3 score back in late November. The Kraken responded with a 7-1 beatdown when they got back home on Dec. 14. Should we expect another multi-goal win for the hosts on Wednesday?
Find my Blackhawks vs. Kraken prediction and NHL betting preview below.
After dropping a 2-0 decision in Vancouver, the Blackhawks have now lost 17 road games in a row. Their last road win came in Tampa back on Nov. 9.
While they got behind the eight-ball early against the Canucks by giving up two goals in the first 6:40 of the game, the Blackhawks responded well after that. In the end, they outshot Vancouver 31-29.
However, with their long list of injuries, especially up front, they don't have the offensive skill to score many goals without the likes of Bedard, Taylor Hall, Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Beauvillier and Tyler Johnson.
For the year, the Blackhawks are 31st in the league with 2.17 goals scored per game and last on the power play at 12.2%. That doesn't offer much support to Petr Mrazek, who has been pretty solid in net. He sits at +3.7 Goals Saved Above Expected, along with a .907 save percentage and 3.01 Goals-Against Average (GAA).
But be warned: the Blackhawks are on the front end of back-to-back games and will also play on Thursday in Edmonton. Luke Richardson may choose to save Mrazek, and if Arvid Soderblom gets the nod in net, he's at -7 Goals Saved Above Expected and a 3.95 GAA.
The Blackhawks' Expected Goals Share of 42.68% at 5-on-5 on the road is another indicator of their road struggles as that is the lowest mark in the league.
After their impressive nine-game winning streak that started on Dec. 20, the Kraken have now lost four straight games. Joey Daccord may have hit a bit of a wall after as astonishing stretch of strong play, but more importantly, scoring has dried up.
The losing streak coincides with the injury absences of 2023 Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers and underrated defenseman Vince Dunn. Both players practiced on Tuesday and are now considered day-to-day, but Dunn might be ready to go against the Blackhawks.
Starting goalie Philipp Grubauer also took a full practice on Wednesday after missing 18 games with a lower-body injury. With Chris Driedger now re-assigned to the AHL, Grubauer looks set to start against the Blackhawks.
The Kraken will be missing Yanni Gourde, who will be serving the second game of a suspension. Oliver Bjorkstrand also missed practice on Tuesday for personal reasons.
In terms of analytics, Seattle is in the middle of the pack in Expected Goals Share on home ice, at 50.27% at 5-on-5. Offense has not come as easily as it did last season — only Jared McCann, Bjorkstrand and Eeli Tolvanen have scored at least 10 goals, and special teams have also been fairly average.
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Blackhawks vs. Kraken
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Blackhawks can generate chances, but goals are much harder to come by, which is music to the ears of a Kraken crew that has also been struggling to score.
It's a perfect re-entry situation for Grubauer, who should have a relatively easy night in his return to action. With Seattle's skaters finally getting a moment to rest this week after having finished a grueling six-game Eastern road trip, expect to see their offense finally rebound — especially if Soderblom gets the nod for Chicago.
Look for the Kraken to make a resounding return to the win column with a multi-goal victory.
Pick: Kraken -1.5 (-102 at FanDuel | Play to -115)
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