Kraken vs Kings Odds: NHL Preview, Prediction
Sam Hodde/Getty Images. Pictured: Los Angeles’ Anze Kopitar.
Kraken vs. Kings Odds
| Kraken Odds | +155 |
| Kings Odds | -185 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 +100 / -120 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Seattle Kraken vs. Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, April 3 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The Kings' current three-game losing skid has opened a window of opportunity for the Blues in the Wild Card race, as St. Louis now sits just three points back having played one more game.
The Kraken fought to a 3-7-2 record in the time since Vince Dunn's injury on March 4 but bested the Sharks 4-2 in Dunn's return on Monday. So, let's look over the Kraken vs. Kings odds and make a NHL prediction.
The Kraken are now essentially a lock to miss the playoffs after a surprising run to the second round last season.
They have remained one of the better defensive sides in the league over the last stretch of play and have continued to display a professional work rate in all areas of the ice.
A lack of offensive upside is going to be the Kraken's undoing.
There have been far too many nights where they've appeared to be the better team but ultimately couldn't turn possession into actual goals. They have scored -14.9 goals above expected this season, and at this point, it's clear that a lack of finishing ability is a problem.
In 12 games against playoff-bound opponents since the All-Star break, the Kraken have scored only 1.91 goals per game. Over the last 15 games, they have played to a 2.92 xGF/60, which ranks 25th in the league.
Their 2.92 xGA/60 in that span ranks 12th in the league, however, and that should be no surprise as they rank eighth in goals against per game over the entirety of the season.
Getting Dunn back does provide a notable boost at both ends of the ice. Dunn's 9.3 expected goals above replacement ranks second to only Jared McCann among Kraken skaters, and on a per-game basis, rates out roughly the same.
Joey Daccord is probable to get the start in goal. He has played to a +7.1 GSAx and .918 save percentage across 47 appearances this season.
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The Kings fell flat in the final three outings of their West Coast road swing, dropping three straight games in regulation. Suddenly, this game has a lot more importance than they would prefer, and we should expect an urgent effort at home.
They clearly brought their "A" game into Calgary on Saturday night, but the other two losses came in tough spots and should not necessarily mean downgrading the Kings.
They've played to a 15-10-1 record since the All-Star break and have allowed only 2.50 goals against per game over that span.
Over the last 15 games, they've allowed only 2.81 xGA/60 and received a combined save percentage of .916 from Cam Talbot and David Rittich.
Los Angeles played the final two games of the road trip without second-line center Phillip Danault, who remains one of the better defensive forwards in the league. Considering the talent left on the roster, it's a pretty lame excuse to say his absence caused two losses, but it did appear that the shuffling of the offensive units was part of the problem.
Danault was a game-time decision on Monday, and his status for this matchup is unclear.
Cam Talbot will likely get the start in goal. He has played to a +10.4 GSAx and .915 save percentage across 48 appearances this season.
Kraken vs Kings
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Kraken have had a tough time generating offense against elite teams recently, and that trend is likely to continue Wednesday against a desperate Kings side.
Seattle has continued to get respect in the betting markets based on a solid process and defensive upside, but it has underperformed expectations because of a lack of true needle-moving talent up front.
Meanwhile, the disappointing road trip has not changed my belief that L.A. is among the best defensive sides in the league. Its defensive upside is also considerably higher with Danault in the lineup, so hopefully he will return for this matchup.
This sets up as a good spot to target Los Angeles winning a low-event contest.
You can parlay the Kings to win and the Kraken's team total under, and it would be inside my target price of -115 at FanDuel, bet365 and DraftKings. However, FanDuel's -106 is the best option of the three.
You can also bet the Kraken to be shut out at +900 at FanDuel, which is also worthy of a small wager.
Pick: Kings ML & Kraken Team Total Under 2.5 Parlay (-106 · Play to -115)
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