Kraken vs Oilers Preview: NHL Odds, Prediction
Via Curtis Comeau/Getty Images. Pictured: Edmonton Oilers Center Connor McDavid (97) and Edmonton Oilers Center Leon Draisaitl (29) celebrate a goal in the third period of the Edmonton Oilers game versus the New York Islanders on November 13, 2023 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
Kraken vs. Oilers Odds
| Kraken Odds | +158 |
| Oilers Odds | -192 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -124 / +102 |
Here's everything you need to know about Kraken vs. Oilers on Wednesday, Nov. 15.
The Seattle Kraken fly to Northern Alberta to face the Edmonton Oilers. This will be the second time in three games that these teams face off after the Oilers won in the first matchup 4-1.
Seattle’s been in a funk this season as it hasn't built up any momentum at all. The Kraken have already lost four out of their last five, and another loss will strike panic in the Emerald City.
After firing their coach on Sunday, the Oilers came out the gate humming. New coach Kris Knoblauch helped them topple the Islanders 4-1 as the Oilers hope to start the season anew after a dreadful 3-9-1 record prior.
Here’s a look at the odds, as well as my Kraken vs. Oilers preview.
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Coming off a surprisingly strong season last year, the Kraken have come back down to Earth. Calder Memorial Trophy winner Matty Beniers, who has been one of the more disappointing players as he has only scored one goal and is a -15 in his sophomore season.
Luckily Jaden Schwartz, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Vince Dunn have picked up the slack. Jared McCann is also a player to look out for after his 40-goal season last year.
Those players have boosted the Kraken’s decent 5-on-5 play. Seattle ranks around the middle of the league in Expected Goals with a 50.26 xGF% and defensively has held its own with a 2.45 xGA/60.
However, the Seattle power play has been dynamic, scoring at a 26.6% clip, but the penalty kill is atrocious. The Kraken are only successful 71.4% of the time on defense, which is 30th in the league.
A tale as old as time, Seattle’s goaltending is still up in the air. Philipp Grubauer has yet to take the reins fully and has split starts with Joey Daccord. Daccord’s been the better goalie, but since he started on Monday, Grubauer likely starts here.
The German netminder has been disappointing since arriving in Seattle, and this year is no different as he is playing to an .891 SV% and a -1.7 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx).
Edmonton’s uncharacteristically poor showing to start this season is certainly eye-popping. We all know the starpower this organization possesses with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. However, prior to scoring a goal and assist on Monday, McDavid was held pointless in three games – which is extremely rare.
However, Knoblauch may be what the doctor ordered. Expect to see more production from the two stars but also players like Evander Kane, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Even despite the struggles, the Oilers were still creating offense at a high rate. They’re fifth with a 55.82 xGF%, and defensively, they’re 11th with a 2.54 xGA/60, so 5-on-5 play isn’t their problem.
However, the penalty kill and goaltending have been atrocious. Edmonton can frankly do anything it wants on the power play (scoring 24% of the time, which is low for them), but the penalty kill is a concern. It only succeeds 71% of the time, and the Oilers find themselves in the penalty box often.
Similar to the Kraken, the Oilers goaltending situation is a mess. Stuart Skinner is officially the guy in net since Jack Campbell was waived. Skinner still needs to be better, as he’s playing to a disappointing .876 SV% and a league-worst -7.8 GSAx.
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Kraken vs. Oilers
Betting Pick & Prediction
Expect the goal light to be lit many times on Wednesday night in Edmonton.
The Oilers' dynamic offense paired with the “new coach surge” is a perfect combination for some action.
While the Kraken have struggled to find the back of the net the past two games, they are due for a few, especially facing a troubled netminder in Skinner.
I would not be surprised to see the majority of the goals fall at the hands of special teams. Both of these squads have an overwhelming power play with questionable goaltending and dreadful penalty killing.
I’ll bet the over for this bout at 6.5 at -130 or better.
Pick: Over 6.5 (-130) |
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