The Seattle Kraken (13-14-6) and Anaheim Ducks (21-13-2) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. EST at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Ducks are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-115o / -105u). The Ducks are a -190 favorite to win outright, while the Kraken are +155 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Kraken vs. Ducks predictions and NHL picks.
Kraken vs. Ducks Odds, Pick
| Kraken Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -155 | 6.5 -115o / -105u | +155 |
| Ducks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +126 | 6.5 -115o / -105u | -190 |
- Kraken vs. Ducks Spread: Ducks -1.5 (+126 ), Kraken +1.5 (-155)
- Kraken vs. Ducks Over/Under: 6.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Kraken vs. Ducks Moneyline: Kraken +155, Ducks -190
Kraken vs. Ducks Preview
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are taking their nickname for their arena, “The Deep” a little too literal.
Currently, Seattle is tied for the worst record in the NHL, because it endured an ungodly losing stretch, where it lost 10 out of 11 games. The Kraken put an end to that stretch though, where they defeated the Sharks in San Jose on Saturday.
Still, if you’ve followed me before, you’ll know how bearish I am on the Kraken. Behind their beautiful branding and cool jerseys, are some of the worst hockey people you can have.
Ron Francis was a legend in his playing days, but as an executive, he’s clueless. And Lane Lambert has always been a fine assistant coach, but as a head coach, he’s brutal.
This is not a team built to win. Sorry Seattle fans, but I think you know that already.
Seattle is playing to a bottom-10 47.16 xGF% this month, while defensively, getting drilled with a 3.36 xGA/60 – which is second-worst in the league.
For the time being, the Kraken have gotten really solid goaltending from goaltender Joey Daccord, who had a slow start to the season.
Daccord has been a great story, but he may not be a true number-one. Regardless, he’s been playing to a .934 SV% over the past four games, so he has the ability to take over games, but he may not be as reliable.
Anaheim Ducks
Needless to say, the month of December hasn’t been too kind to the Ducks – a team that has taken the league by storm.
Entering this contest, they’ve gone 5-4-1 in their last 10 games which doesn’t seem bad on paper. But falling to the Stars 8-3 and 7-0 to the Mammoth in that stretch is a bad look.
Yet here we are. Anaheim still holds the lead in the Pacific Division.
Alas, how can you be bearish on a team that has young stars like Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier take the league by storm, averaging over a point per game each.
Anaheim’s 5-on-5 game has been fairly decent on the offensive end over the past few weeks. It ranks 13th in expected goals with a 51.07 xGF%, but the defense is where it has taken a hit.
The Ducks have played to a 20th-ranked 2.94 xGA/60 this month, which is actually better than their league-wide worst 3.09. However, for a team that’s young like them, this isn’t much of a surprise.
A lot of Anaheim’s success has also ventured into goaltending, with Lukas Dostal taking the brunt of the starts. This stretch hasn’t been kind to Dostal, as he’s played to a 2.2 GSAx, which is greatly below his usual 11.0 GSAx, but his early performances have proven that he’s trustworthy.
If the Ducks can tighten up on the defensive end and commit less penalties (ninth overall and 28th in penalty kill) then Dostal can perform at a higher rate.
Kraken vs. Ducks Prediction
Did I give it away with this story already?
I’m riding with the Ducks here. But not just straight up, I’m picking the Ducks in regulation.
I may be putting my foot in my mouth with how much I’ve been ripping the Kraken, but I am just not a fan of the way this roster is built. I think they have solid young talent, but they will be a ways away.
Not only that, Anaheim is really solid in front of its home fans. The Ducks are 12-5-3 at the Honda Center, while Seattle is 6-7-3. Additionally, in this 10-game stretch, every one of the Kraken’s losses has come in regulation.
Pick the Ducks in regulation, and let’s quack our way into Festivus with grievances and some extra dough in our pockets.
Pick: Anaheim Ducks 3-Way Line (-125)
