NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Calgary Flames vs Seattle Kraken
Steph Chambers/Getty Images. Pictured: Members of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken.
- The Calgary Flames and Seattle Kraken meet on Friday night for NHL Pacific Division bragging rights.
- The Kraken are a short home favorite with a moneyline price around -115 across the betting market.
- NHL betting analyst Tony Sartori previews Flames vs Kraken, including updated odds, picks and predictions for Friday's NHL game.
Flames vs Kraken Odds
| Flames Odds | -105 |
| Kraken Odds | -115 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-115 / -105) |
| Time | 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | SN1 |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
Friday's NHL schedule features a Pacific Division tilt with the first-place Seattle Kraken hosting the fifth-place Calgary Flames
Calgary enters this contest following a disappointing loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Meanwhile, Seattle has won 10 of its last 13 games.
Here's a look at the odds, as well as our betting pick and prediction for Flames vs Kraken.
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames have been involved in many low-scoring contests recently. In fact, there have been six or fewer total goals scored in 10 of Calgary's last 15 games. This trend is a product of head coach Darryl Sutter's stalwart defensive system.
Calgary ranks sixth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5. Backing up this elite blue line is goaltender Daniel Vladar, who is projected to start between the pipes on Friday night since the Flames are on the second half of a back-to-back.
An above-average backup net-minder, Vladar is 10-4-4 with a .902 save percentage (SV%) and 2.75 goals against average (GAA) in 18 appearances in the crease. That play should continue against the Seattle Kraken — a team that Vladar dominated in their last meeting.
In his previous start against Seattle in December, Vladar stopped 29 of 31 shots for a .935 SV% en route to a 3-2 victory.
Seattle Kraken
Seattle's identity is that of a sandpaper lineup that is willing to make every night a grind for the opposition. The Kraken rank ninth in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.
Backing up this strong defense is goaltender Martin Jones, who enters Friday's contest in terrific form. Jones is 9-1 with a .915 SV% and 2.20 GAA in his last 10 starts.
This strong stretch of goaltending is likely to continue against Calgary, a team Jones has notoriously dominated. Over his last 10 starts against the Flames, Jones is 8-2 with a .938 SV% and 2.06 GAA.
Jones' aptitude notwithstanding, the real reason why Seattle boasts a first-place ranking in the Pacific is its ability to finish offensively. However, regression is looming for the Kraken offense.
Seattle ranks first in goals for per 60 minutes (GF/60) at 5-on-5, but just 20th in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.
Flames vs Kraken Pick
Seattle's sandpaper defense is often overshadowed by its offensive results. However, its offensive finishing is entirely unsustainable.
Moreover, coach Sutter possesses a defensive mind that makes life difficult for the opposition — but it is also the reason why Calgary sits in fifth place in the Pacific Division.
Sutter's outdated style of coaching has resulted in a troubling record through the first half of the season despite a strong-willed defense.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-125) ⋅ Play up to (-135) |
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