While there is a very busy NHL schedule on Thursday, there is no bigger or more interesting game than the surprising Seattle Kraken taking on the best team in hockey, the Boston Bruins. The Kraken arrive in Boston riding a six-game winning streak and scoring a bunches of goals in the process.
On the other hand, Boston is riding a four-game winning streak, continues to be the class of the NHL, and will be well rested, having not played since January 8th.
We’ll review the stats, trends, and odds before making our Kraken vs Bruins prediction and finding the best bets along the way.
Kraken vs. Bruins Odds
Before we move on to our Seattle Kraken vs Bruins Prediction and NHL picks, we need to review the betting odds.
The total goals line is set to 6, with the over and under both listed at -110 odds. Seattle has a 17-20-3 over/under record, while Boston has a 19-19-2 over/under record.
Kraken vs. Bruins Information
Seattle Kraken (24-12-4) vs. Boston Bruins (32-4-4)
Location of the game: TD Garden. Boston, MA.
Date: Thursday, 12th January. 7:00 p.m. ET
How to watch: NHLPP | ESPN+ | Regional Broadcast Partners
Recent Scores
Thursday’s matchup between Seattle and Boston is the first of two head-to-head NHL games this season. The Bruins won the two games on the 2021-22 NHL schedule, averaging 3.0 goals per game. While the Kraken averaged 2.0 goals per game.
The Seattle Kraken won their last matchup, defeating the high-scoring Buffalo Sabres 4-3 on January 10th. Matty Beniers, Justin Schultz, and Jordan Eberle each scored a goal and an assist for the Kraken, while Yanni Gourde scored his sixth goal of the season. Philipp Grubauer made 32 saves to get the win.
Boston mauled the awful Anaheim Ducks 7-1 on January 8th. David Pastrnak continued his incredible season, scoring a hat-trick and four total points. While David Krejci, Charlie Coyle, Hampus Lindholm, and Brad Marchand scored for the Bruins. Jeremy Swayman made 28 saves to get the win.
Seattle Kraken vs. Boston Bruins Analysis
Seattle Kraken Analysis
The Seattle Kraken enter Thursday’s matchup riding a six-game winning streak, with a 24-12-4 record and ranked third in the Pacific Division NHL standings. In their last five games, the Kraken has hit the over three times, while four games ended in a 1.5-goal spread.
The Kraken are 5-0 in the last five games against the Eastern Conference and 4-0 when their opposition has scored five or more goals in their previous game. In their last five games, the Kraken have averaged 5.2 goals per game while giving up 2.0 goals per game.
Offensively, Seattle is ranked third and averaging 3.7 goals per game, while the powerplay is ranked 16th overall and covert at 22.0%.
Defensively, the Kraken are ranked 17th overall, giving up 3.1 goals per game, while Seattle has one of the league’s worst penalty-killing units ranked 31st overall, operating at 69.5%.
Players Stats
Andre Burakovsky leads the Kraken in NHL player stats with 35 points (11 goals, 24 assists).
While Philipp Grubauer (4-7-1, 3.49 GAA, .885 SV%) started Seattle’s last game against the Buffalo Sabres, Martin Jones (19-5-3, 2.78 GAA, .894 SV%) had started the previous five games. Jones is the probable starter for the Kraken on Thursday night.
Boston Bruins: the Best Team in the NHL
You don’t have to search NHL data long to find the Boston Bruins standings. Boston is the best team in the NHL, ranked first overall in the league, Eastern Conference, and the competitive Atlantic Division with an unbelievable 32-4-4 record.
The Boston Bruins have won their last four games and five of the last six. In the last five games, Boston has hit the over three times with one push. While three games ended with at least a 1.5-goal spread.
The over is 3-0-1 in Boston’s last four games following a win and following a game where they gave up two goals or less in the previous outing. The Bruins are 5-1 in the last six games when they have had three days of rest or more.
Whether you are looking at offensive or defensive stats, Boston’s statistical story weaves the narrative of an elite team in all aspects of the game.
Boston is ranked second in scoring, averaging 3.9 goals per game, while having the third-ranked powerplay, converting at 28.2%.
Defensively, there is no better team in the NHL than the Boston Bruins. Boston is ranked first overall, giving up only 2.1 goals per game, while the penalty-killing unit is the best in the league, operating at 85.8%.
Players Stats
David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in NHL player stats with 58 points (32 goals, 26 assists). If you are looking for a prop bet target in this game, Pastrnak should be the player you focus on.
Boston has the only player listed on the NHL injury report for this game, with left-winger A.J. Greer listed as day-to-day.
Linus Ullmark is the likely starter against Seattle and his season stats are out of this world. Ullmark has an incredible 22-1-1 record, a 1.87 goals-against average, and a .938 save percentage. Even if Ullmark takes another game off, there isn’t much of a drop-off to Jeremy Swayman (9-3-3, 2.51 GAA, .905 SV%).
Seattle Kraken
When looking at the Seattle Kraken odds today, you’ll find the Kraken are significant underdogs on the Moneyline, listed with odds from +188 to +200. Seattle has a 24-16 straight-up Moneyline record.
The Kraken are listed at +1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds from -122 to -130. Seattle has a 25-15 ats record.
Boston Bruins
Are you surprised that the best team of all NHL teams is the heavy Moneyline favorite? The Boston Bruins are the heavy Moneyline favorite, with odds between -225 and -250. Boston has a 32-8 straight-up Moneyline record.
The Bruins are listed at -1.5 on the puck line spread, with odds ranging from +104 to +110. Boston has a 26-14 ats record.
Seattle Kraken vs. Boston Bruins Betting Pick and Prediction
Now, we have the difficult task of making a Kraken vs Bruins prediction. Our first prediction is to take the Boston Bruins on the Moneyline. Yes, the Bruins are heavy favorites, but there is no better team in hockey than the Boston Bruins, and they should be the favorite and win this game straight-up on the Moneyline.
Our second Kraken vs Bruins prediction is to take the Kraken to cover the +1.5-goal spread. While these picks aren’t sexy or super-value-laden, this game should be close to the end.
Even when they lose, Boston has a way of getting to overtime and gaining an extra point. If Seattle are going to win, it will be in overtime, but they will still cover the spread.
Our final Kraken vs. Bruins prediction is that this game will hit the under. Boston will not give up a bunch of goals with either goalie in net and will likely hit close to its season average of 4 goals per game.
Expect a 3-2 game, but a 4-2 game and a push on the total goals line is a real possibility. Still, we’ll take the Bruins to shut down the Kraken and keep this game to the under.
NHL Picks: Boston Bruins ML, Seattle Kraken +1.5, Under.
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