The Vegas Golden Knights skate into the Winter Classic as the NHL odds favorite but will have their hands full with a hot Seattle Kraken team that enters play on a season-high four-game win streak and eight-game point streak.
Joey Daccord has been a big reason for Seattle’s recent run, posting a 1.80 GAA in December while earning at least a point in each of his last seven starts, but can he help Seattle earn a fifth straight win during the Winter Classic at T-Mobile Park?
Find out in my Golden Knights vs. Kraken NHL picks and predictions for Monday, January 1.
Golden Knights vs Kraken odds
Golden Knights vs Kraken predictions
The Vegas Golden Knights got back into the win column on Thursday with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against the Kings as goaltender Logan Thompson made 32 stops to help his team snap a four-game skid.
It was a much-needed bounce-back performance for Thompson, who posted a 3.14 goals against average through 10 appearances in December while allowing at least for goals in four of his previous five outings. Defense been an area of concern in general for the Golden Knights as they’ve surrendered four or more goals in seven of their last nine outings while going 4-5-0 over that span.
The Seattle Kraken have gone the other way, skating to four straight wins while allowing just five goals over that span. Joey Daccord has been a big reason for Seattle’s recent success, posting a sensational 1.80 GAA and a .939 save percentage through 10 games in December while holding opponents to two goals or fewer in nine of those outings.
The Kraken have quietly been one of the NHL’s best teams since their point streak started on December 12, racking up 14 points in eight games which trails only the Hurricanes (15 points) for the most in the league over that span. The Golden Knights, meanwhile, have been one of the NHL’s worst teams since that date, with their six points ranking ahead of only three other clubs.
That Vegas defense has allowed a whopping 4.25 goals against per game through that span while Seattle is giving up just 1.50 GAPG during its streak – thanks in large part to Daccord. Assuming Daccord gets the start for the Kraken, he could be the difference-maker to lead his club to a fifth straight win.
My best bet: Kraken moneyline (+120 at SIA)
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Golden Knights vs Kraken same-game parlay
Kraken moneyline
Under 6.5 goals
Kraken to score first
I’ll lean on the Kraken and their defense in the same-game parlay as I bank on a Seattle win, the Under on 6.5 total goals, and a game-opening goal for the hosts.
The Kraken have cashed the Under in four straight contests and 10 of their last 13 games thanks in large part to Daccord. The Seattle netminder has given up more than two goals just twice in his last 13 appearances so chances are we see another low-scoring affair.
Seattle has scored first in 18 of its 37 games this season and will likely need to break the ice against Vegas to earn the win. The Kraken have just five comeback wins this season – tied for fifth-fewest among all teams – so the hosts will be in a much better spot if they can claim an early lead.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Golden Knights vs Kraken moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The Golden Knights get the nod as the road favorite in this one, opening at -135 on the moneyline with the hosts coming in at +120. With the Kraken winning four straight games and the Golden Knights crashing hard since mid-December, I think it’s a good opportunity to roll with the underdogs in this matchup.
Goaltending should give the Kraken a big edge in this matchup as Daccord’s .939 SV% ranks tops in the NHL since December 1 among all netminders with at least five games played. Meanwhile, Thompson has posted a .887 SV% over that span, ranking 43rd among that contingent.
The total for the Winter Classic opened at 6 goals and given how tight Seattle’s defense has been of late, I like the Under in this matchup.
The Golden Knights have been playing plenty of high-scoring games, cashing the Over in nine of their last 11 contests, but that’s come down to weak defense more than anything. Vegas has scored more than three goals just once in its last seven outings and I don’t see them bumping that trend against Daccord, who’s allowed just four goals combined through his last three starts.
At the other end of the rink, each of Seattle’s last four games have seen a total of five goals or fewer while nine of their last 13 contests have finished Under six goals.
Golden Knights vs Kraken betting trend to know
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs Kraken. Find more NHL betting trends for Golden Knights vs. Kraken.
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Golden Knights vs Kraken game info
| Location: | T-Mobile Park, Seattle, WA |
| Date: | Monday, January 1, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT, truTV |
Golden Knights vs Kraken latest injuries
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