Kraken vs. Blue Jackets Odds & Prediction: Betting Value on Total

Kraken vs. Blue Jackets Odds

The Seattle Kraken are limping toward a surprising playoff berth, as similar to last season their goaltending duo has started to fall apart. They have the fourth-easiest remaining schedule in the league by points %, including Friday's matchup versus the lottery-bound Columbus Blue Jackets.

Columbus' young core has stabilized with a quality 5-3-2 run over the last ten though, and is priced closer than some might expect as +145 versus the Kraken.

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Seattle Kraken

Seattle has settled into playing a lot of high-scoring games. It seems possible that trend will continue considering the team's makeup as it looks to overcome suspect play in goal with a deep offense.

Over Seattle's last ten games, it has seen totals average 7.3 goals for per game, and it's 5-4-1 record in those contests makes the point that the offense is still humming.

The Kraken have 12 skaters who've already reached the double-digit mark in goals scored. Offensively, they continue to be underrated due to the lack of true superstar names, but well above replacement-level scorers littered amongst all four lines.

After a surprisingly strong start to the campaign, Martin Jones' play has began to fall off considerably, including a very rough night versus Detroit on Thursday, which ended with an early pull.

Philipp Grubauer should start Friday, and has bounced back from being the league's worst starter a year ago with respectable play. His .894 save % and +1.2 GSAx in 25 appearances this season are both considerable improvements for a Kraken side that will happily take league-average play in goal.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Playing the role of spoiler lately, Columbus has broken through with quality offensive performances against a number of quality teams, with wins over Toronto, Dallas, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Buffalo.

Captain Boone Jenner has put up a point per game since returning to the lineup 10 games ago. He is clicking offensively on a new-look first line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and rookie sensation Kirill Marchenko.

The Blue Jackets' top power-play unit has also been looking dangerous, which actually is not entirely surprising giving a fair evaluation of the unit with Jenner and Gaudreau now healthy.

Marchenko and Patrik Laine are both significantly better than average shooters, and Gaudreau is tremendous at drawing defenders in and creating open lanes.

With Joonas Korpisalo traded to the Kings, Elvis Merzlikins will be Columbus' No. 1 option in goal the rest of the way.

Merzlikins' -21.8 GSAx rating is the second worst in the league, and his .879 save % is the third lowest among goalies with 20 appearances.

Kraken vs. Blue Jackets Pick

The Blue Jackets have been far more productive offensively of late, producing both at even strength and on the power play.

There's a good chance Columbus can put up offense here versus Grubauer and the Kraken as a rested home underdog, which already has me thinking about the total.

Seattle has remained in tremendous offensive form as well recently, and has a deep offensive core which continues to scratch and claw toward the playoffs despite horrific goaltending.

The Kraken matchup well against the Blue Jackets and should take advantage  of Merzlikins.

This looks like a great spot for both teams to manage three goals, or to potentially see an offensive explosion from one side or the other.  -115 is a strong number to back this one to go over, and I would play 6.5 down to -125.

Pick: Over 6.5 (-115 · Play to -125)

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