The defending champions are on the brink of elimination as the Seattle Kraken come into town just one win away from knocking off the Colorado Avalanche.
Colorado staved off elimination and extended the series to tonight after a gutsy 4-1 win on the road, showing this team still possesses the championship mentality.
Win or go home, it's that simple. Game 7 is a sports fan's two favorite words, and I've got the NHL odds breakdown as well as my favorite play in my NHL picks for tonight's Kraken vs. Avalanche showdown.
Kraken vs Avalanche Game 7 odds
Kraken vs Avalanche Game 7 predictions
This year's Seattle Kraken squad represented several players who have spent their careers looking to find a true home in the NHL, and one of those players who has seemingly finally figured it out is Daniel Sprong. The 26-year-old finds himself on his fourth team in his sixth full season and had easily his best campaign statistically, amounting to 21 goals and 46 points in 66 games.
Sprong averaged 2.18 shots per game in 11:25 minutes of ice time, but as the postseason started and top lines began to be heavily relied on, Spronger has eclipsed double-digit minutes just twice in those six games. The fourth liner has seen his shot totals diminish completely with fewer minutes, exceeding tonight's total of 1.5 just once this series (four SOG in Game 4).
Shots have been hard to come by in general for the Kraken this series, with the team exceeding 30 shots just once in this series. The last game was the worst of all as the Colorado Avalanche suffocated the home side, allowing just 23 shots. Alexander Georgiev hasn't been phenomenal this series...nor this entire season, and Colorado will do whatever it takes to ensure he gets challenged as little as possible.
With the likelihood of the top lines getting the most playing time, the Avs' ability to suppress Seattle's shots, and Sprong potentially seeing less than 10 minutes of ice time, taking the Under on his shots total seems to make the most sense. He's 1-5 O/U on his shot totals this playoffs and I expect him to miss out again.
My best bet: Daniel Sprong Under 1.5 shots on goal (+130)
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Kraken vs Avalanche Game 7 moneyline analysis
Colorado opened at -204 on the moneyline and the public has bet them up to -225 just about everywhere. It seems the public is set on backing the reigning NHL champions, with the all-important Game 7 taking place at Ball Arena.
Playing at high altitude seemingly has its perks for teams in Colorado, but the Kraken have been able to steal two games on the road, while the Avs went 2-1 in Seattle. This game could go truly either way and with Seattle having already won twice in this building, it's hard to try and talk myself into taking Colorado as a straight bet with so much juice.
The Kraken are juicy +180 underdogs and can be gotten at -145 at +1.5, which seems like a much better option if you have faith in the league's newest team. I have a rule in betting hockey which is not to pick a side in a Game 7, and that rule won't be broken today.
Kraken vs Avalanche Game 7 Over/Under analysis
The total for this matchup has opened at 5.5 and stayed there as of Sunday afternoon, with money slightly juiced to the Over. Outside of Game 2's 10-goal explosion, every other game has yet to surpass tonight's total of 5.5. With that said, four of the six games finished at 5 total goals, meaning these teams are knocking on the door of the Overs.
With the Under paying plus money and five of the six games in this series going that way, it seems like a safe bet to take a stab at it. Game 7s are also typically played at a more conservative pace as neither team wants to give up anything. Not an official play for me, but I may sprinkle a little.
Kraken vs Avalanche betting trend to know
Daniel Sprong has gone Under his shots on goal prop in five of his last six games. Find more NHL betting trends for Kraken vs. Avalanche.
Kraken vs Avalanche Game 7 game info
| Location: | Ball Arena, Denver, CO |
| Date: | Sunday, April 30, 2023 |
| Puck drop: | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
