The New York Islanders and the Seattle Kraken are streaking in opposite directions and are set to meet for the first time this season.
The Islanders have won their last three games, while the Kraken are currently in the midst of a three-game losing streak.
Can New York win its fourth straight, or will Seattle get back on track? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Islanders vs. Kraken on January 1.
Islanders vs Kraken best odds
Islanders vs Kraken picks and predictions
It appears as though the Seattle Kraken have come back down to earth. The Kraken started the season strong, at one point stringing together a seven-game winning streak to find themselves in second place in the Pacific Division at the beginning of December.
What a difference a month has made. As good as Seattle had been in November, the wheels came off in the final month of 2022. The team went 4-8 in December, including losses of three or more goals to Tampa Bay and Carolina.
Seattle's most recent game might have been its worst, as it got pummeled at home 7-2 by the Edmonton Oilers on Friday. The Oilers scored three goals in the first four minutes of the first period, which prompted Kraken head coach Dave Hakstol to pull goaltender Philipp Grubauer.
The alarm has gone off, and the Kraken can’t hit the snooze button. They are now facing a red-hot New York Islanders team on Sunday, and it’s hard to figure out why the Islanders are the underdog in this contest.
While forwards Cal Clutterbuck, Oliver Wahlstrom, and Kyle Palmieri are all out with injuries, that shouldn’t be too much of a strain on the offense. The Islanders rank 14th in goals scored, averaging 3.22 a game. Brock Nelson is back after an injury, and the team’s leader in goals (15) and points (37) has notched three assists in two games since his return.
With the Kraken shaky as of late and the Islanders streaking, I think New York will get a win in the first game of its four-game road trip. Besides, the +106 odds make this a great value bet.
My best bet: Islanders moneyline (+106 at BetRivers)
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Islanders vs Kraken moneyline analysis
Getting New York at plus odds is a value bet and should have gamblers running to make this wager.
One of the biggest reasons for the Kraken's latest struggles has been their goaltending. With Grubauer getting shelled on Friday by Edmonton, Martin Jones will probably get the start on Sunday.
Jones has a GAA of 3.05 and a SV% of .886. He came in to relieve Grubauer against the Oilers and gave up four goals. His last start was against Vancouver on December 22, where he allowed five goals in a 6-5 shootout loss.
The Islanders have Ilya Sorokin in the net, who has been among the league's best. Sorokin currently ranks fourth in the league in both GAA and SV%. Although he's preparing for his sixth start in a row, the New York netminder has had two days to rest up. He should be ready to go against Seattle.
Islanders vs Kraken Over/Under analysis
Though Seattle has been losing, it's still been scoring. In its last eight games, the Kraken have averaged 3.25 goals in those games. That is down a bit from their season average of 3.44, good for sixth-best in the league.
They have also been letting in goals. In those eight games, they have allowed an average of 3.88 per contest. That is way higher than their season average of 3.32, which already came in at 21st in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Islanders are 14th in scoring at 3.22 and sixth in GAA at 2.65.
The total opened at six, and the trends seem to be pointing toward the Under. The Kraken have hit the Under in six of their last seven against Metropolitan teams, plus their last seven contests when they have allowed five or more goals in the previous game. The Islanders have hit the Under in three of their last four after a victory.
The key to the total going Under is going to be the play of their starting goalie. Jones has been inconsistent lately, allowing four or more goals in his last two games.
Islanders vs Kraken betting trend to know
New York is 6-0 against Pacific Division teams this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs Kraken.
Islanders vs Kraken game info
| Location: | Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA |
| Date: | Sunday, January 1, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN |
