After playing just a single game, a well-rested St. Louis Blues team faces an overworked Seattle Kraken, who are set to play their fifth game in a week.
The Kraken played in Anaheim and Los Angeles before facing two stern challenges at home against Vegas and Carolina. The home contests didn’t go according to plan, with the Kraken losing by a 10-3 combined margin.
Things don’t get any easier for the 1-2-1 Kraken, who cap off a frenetic opening week against Craig Berube’s fresh, fit, and confident Blues. Check out our NHL picks for the Blues vs. Kraken on October 19.
Blues vs Kraken best odds
Blues vs Kraken picks and predictions
The Kraken’s first two contests went comparatively well, with Dave Hakstol’s team losing the opener in a game they dominated. They outshot the Ducks 48-27 in the 5-4 overtime loss. The Ducks’ opportunistic ruthlessness and a subpar Philipp Grubauer outing derailed a performance deserving of the win.
Grubauer had a .815 save percentage, allowing five goals on 27 shots. Unfortunately for the Kraken, it wasn’t the only game in the first week in which their No. 1 netminder underperformed. He was also shelled at home against the Hurricanes, allowing five goals on 34 shots (.853 save %).
Seattle’s only victory, a comprehensive 4-1 win over the Kings in Los Angeles, came with Martin Jones between the pipes. Jones saved 26 of 27 shots in the win for a .963 save percentage. However, the 32-year-old netminder failed to produce the goods the second time of asking and allowed five goals on 24 shots in the follow-up contest against the Golden Knights.
Grubauer was forced off the bench in relief of Jones in the 5-2 home defeat. The question is whether Hakstol returns to Grubauer after his disappointing performance against the Hurricanes or decides Jones should get a chance at redemption.
Either way, this game is set up for a Blues victory. As long as collective rust isn’t an issue, which it has been in the past, the Blues should be chomping at the bit to play just their second game in over a week. St. Louis is 5-11 in its last 16 with three or more days rest.
Meanwhile, the Kraken endure their fifth game in a week, a combination that bodes well for the bright-eyed Blues.
St. Louis won its opener at home over the Blue Jackets 5-2 on Oct. 15. Jordan Binnington is focused on having a bounce-back year as the Blues’ No. 1 netminder and will be pleased with saving 23 of 25 shots in the win.
The Blues dominated the season series in 2021-22, winning all three contests by an 11-2 margin. Two of the three encounters saw at least five goals, setting the stage for another similar contest.
The Kraken should keep it close tonight, but the week’s attrition will prevent them from picking up two points.
My best bet: Blues moneyline and Over 4.5 goals (+110 at BetMGM)
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Blues vs Kraken moneyline analysis
The Blues are 10-1 in their last 11 against teams with a losing record, a daunting statistic if you’re a Kraken fan. The Blues are also big fans of playing Pacific Division teams, going 4-1 in their last five.
Berube’s team isn’t worried about playing in unfriendly environments, as the Blues are 11-3 in their last 14 away games. In addition, the Blues are 10-3 in their last 13 after allowing two or fewer in the previous encounter.
The Kraken is as poor on home ice as they are on their travels. Seattle is 10-21 in its previous 31 home games and 19-43 in 62 overall. After conceding five goals, the Kraken is 4-10 in the last 14 in follow-up encounters.
Seattle also struggles to play in games after one day of rest, losing four of its last five.
Blues vs Kraken Over/Under analysis
Four of the Blues’ previous five resulted in the Over, while 14 of the last 19 St. Louis away games also resulted in the Over.
Five of the Blues’ last seven against Pacific Division teams resulted in the Over.
The Over is 7-2-2 in the Kraken games following a home loss of three or more goals, and the Over is 3-1-1 in the last five games where Seattle had one day of rest.
However, the Under is 9-3 when Seattle’s opponent scored at least five goals in their previous game. Also, the Kraken allowed five goals during the last two home encounters, placing the precedent on a markedly improved defensive performance.
It should be marginal, but I like a combined total of five or six goals for tonight’s contest.
Blues vs Kraken betting trend to know
The Kraken is 1-8 in their last nine against teams with a winning percentage above .600. Find more NHL betting trends for Blues vs Kraken.
Blues vs Kraken game info
| Location: | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA |
| Date: | Wednesday, October 19, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
