The Seattle Kraken will play the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Seattle has won eight games in a row, while Columbus has lost four of their last five games. Let’s take a look at the betting matchup and the Kraken vs Blue Jackets prediction.
Kraken Preview
The Seattle Kraken are 18-14-9 this season after they defeated the Capitals by a score of 4-1 in their last game. Seattle had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they were able to score the last two goals to pull away for the win. The Kraken were out shot by a total of 26-23 and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. Seattle has won eight games in a row with wins against Washington, Buffalo, Ottawa, Vegas, Philadelphia, Calgary, Anaheim, and LA. The Kraken are scoring 2.78 goals per game and they are allowing 2.78 goals against per game, while going 20.7% on the power play and 80.9% on the penalty kill. Vince Dunn has led Seattle with eight goals, 26 assists, and 83 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Seattle is Joey Daccord, who is 12-5-8 this year with a 2.23 goals against average and a .925 save percentage.
Blue Jackets Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets are 13-20-9 this year after they lost to Winnipeg by a score of 5-0 in their last game. Columbus only trailed 1-0 after the first period, but allowed two goals in the second and third for the shutout loss. The Blue Jackets out shot Winnipeg by a total of 29-23 and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Columbus lost to Minnesota by a score of 4-3 in the game prior to Winnipeg, but did defeat Philadelphia by a score of 3-2 before that. The Blue Jackets are scoring 2.98 goals per game and they are allowing 3.67 goals against per game, while going 14.5% on the power play and 79.8% on the penalty kill. Johnny Gaudreau has led Columbus with seven goals, 18 assists, and 81 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Columbus is Daniil Tarasov, who is 2-3-2 this year with a 3.80 goals against average and a .883 save percentage.
Columbus Blue Jackets Team Facts
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last 11 night games against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in five of their last six games at Nationwide Arena following a road loss.
- The Blue Jackets have lost the third period in seven of their last eight games at Nationwide Arena against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in 14 of the Blue Jackets’ last 15 home games against Pacific Division opponents.
Seattle Kraken Team Facts
- The Kraken have won each of their last 10 games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Kraken have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 12 games.
- The Kraken have won the first period in four of their last five games as favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in nine of the Kraken’s last 12 games as favorites.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Patrik Laine has recorded at least one point in eight of his last nine home appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Patrik Laine has scored a goal in seven of his last nine home appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
- Patrik Laine has recorded at least one assist in five of his last six home appearances against Pacific Division opponents.
Seattle Kraken Player Prop Facts
- Eeli Tolvanen has recorded at least one assist in each of the Kraken’s last four games.
- Vince Dunn has scored a goal in three of the Kraken’s last four night games.
- Jaden Schwartz has recorded at least one point in seven of his last eight appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league in short handed goals this season (0).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 32nd in the league for Period 3 goals allowed per game this season (1.60).
- The Seattle Kraken rank T7th in the league for power play goals against this season (22).
- The Seattle Kraken rank T7th in the league for Period 2 goals allowed per game this season (0.88).
Kraken vs Blue Jackets Betting Prediction
Seattle comes into this game as one of the hottest teams in the NHL and they have won eight games in a row. The Kraken have not been great offensively, but their defense has been elite, as they have allowed four goals in their last four games. Columbus has allowed at least four goals in three of their last four games and while they do average more goals per game than Seattle does, I can’t trust this Blue Jackets defense. Take Seattle to continue their winning streak here.