NHL Odds, Pick, Prediction: Kraken vs. Capitals (March 5)
Christopher Mast/NHLI via Getty Images. Pictured: Calle Jarnkrok
- The Kraken are heavy road underdogs against the Capitals on Saturday night.
- The Capitals just picked up a huge 4-0 win over the Hurricanes on Thursday, but does this game set up as a let-down spot for them?
- Tony Sartori breaks down the matchup and shares his best bet below.
Kraken vs. Capitals Odds
| Kraken Odds | +200 |
| Capitals Odds | -235 |
| Over/Under | 6 (+100/-120) |
| Time | 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Pacific Division's eighth-place Seattle Kraken travel to Washington D.C. to take on the Metropolitan Division's fourth-place Capitals. This meeting is the second time these teams have faced off this season as the Kraken won the first contest 5-2.
Can the Kraken pull off the upset again, or will the Capitals get their revenge on home ice?
Kraken's Defense Remains Stingy
The Seattle Kraken begin a five-game road trip following their 4-3 home win against the Nashville Predators. The road has treated Kraken bettors well this season as they are 10-5 against the spread in their last 15 road games as underdogs.
Seattle is a frustrating team to play against because of its physically tough and stingy defense. This season, the Kraken rank seventh in the league in five-on-five Expected Goals Against per 60 minutes (xGA).
Their defense has done well on the road, despite the bad goaltending behind them. Over their last 10 road games, the Kraken are holding opponents to just 2.8 goals per game.
Will Motivation Be an Issue for the Capitals?
The Washington Capitals enter this contest following Thursday's huge 4-0 upset over the Carolina Hurricanes. Their matchup against the Kraken could be a let-down spot for this team following a big upset victory.
Just as Seattle has been a good bet as a road underdog this season, the Capitals are one of the worst teams in the league as a home favorite. Over their last 16 games as a home favorite, the Capitals are just 2-14 against the spread.
The Capitals' projected starting goaltender is Vitek Vanecek, who has also been a good fade candidate when starting at home as a betting favorite. Over Vanecek's last five starts as a home favorite, the Capitals have gone 0-5 against the spread.
I discussed how Seattle's blue line is frustrating to play against, and that could be a problem for Washington's below-average offense. This season, Washington ranks 18th in the league in five-on-five Expected Goals For per 60 minutes (xGF) and 22nd in Average Expected Goal Value of five-on-five shot attempts.
Kraken vs. Capitals Pick
The price on the Capitals in this game is grossly inflated due to their reputation. While the Capitals do have their superstars, they are an incredibly average team and should not be laying more than two dollars on the moneyline.
The Kraken took care of business once already this season against Washington, and I think they can at least keep It to within a one-goal game tonight.
Pick: Seattle Kraken +1.5 (-115) | Play up to (-130)
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