The Vegas Golden Knights (22-10-5), second place in the NHL standings for the Pacific Division, and Seattle Kraken (14-14-9) play in the NHL Winter Classic on January 1 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. It’s the first of three outdoor NHL matchups this season and the first for the Kraken. Vegas played in the NHL Outdoors at Lake Tahoe on February 20, 2021.
Golden Knights vs KrakenPicks
Seattle comes into this game with all the momentum and should have the benefit of better goaltending.
- Pick: Seattle Kraken +115
Logan Thompson (2.80 GAA, .902 save percentage) is expected to start in goal for the Golden Knights, while Joey Daccord (2.46 GAA, .915 save percentage) is the projected starter for the Kraken. Let’s take a look at the Knights vs. Kraken best bets and other NHL picks today.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken Odds
Golden Knights vs Kraken Information
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken
Location: T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington
Date & Time: Monday, January 1 at 3 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN and Sportsnet (Canada)
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken Recent Scores
Vegas is just 5-5 in its last 10 games for the Golden Knights schedule. The team has been mediocre since its dominant start to the NHL season and lost five of six before winning its most recent game, 3-2, against the Los Angeles Kings. Thompson made 32 saves in the win, while Michael Amadio, Jack Eichel, and William Karlsson found the back of the net.
Seattle, meanwhile, has been trending the other direction. They’re 6-1-3 in their last 10 games and have won four in a row, including a 2-1 overtime victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken Analysis
The Golden Knights slump and the Kraken resurgence comes down to one thing: goaltending. Vegas has allowed 39 goals in its last 10 games for an average of 3.9, well above its average of 2.76 goals allowed per game this season, which ranks ninth leaguewide. The troubles started with the injury to Adin Hill, who has played well enough to be among the NHL picks to win the Vezina Trophy.
Ahead of the Golden Knights vs. Kraken best bets, Vegas is 12th in NHL stats for goals (3.32) and eighth in shots on goal (32.3). They’re 12th in power-play and penalty kill percentage. Eichel leads the team in NHL player stats with 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) and Mark Stone is second with 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists).
The Kraken odds to win any game have greatly improved as of late thanks to the play of Daccord. He has a 5-0-2 record in his last seven starts and has allowed just 11 goals during that time. The lesser known netminder has an opportunity to earn a greater profile on the national stage with the Winter Classic being the only game on the NHL schedule today.
Defenseman Vince Dunn leads the Kraken with 30 points (6 goals, 24 assists) and Oliver Bjorkstrand is second with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists). The Kraken are 28th in NHL stats with 2.65 goals per game and have improved to T12th in goals allowed (2.97).
In addition to Hill, Shea Theodore and Ben Hutton are on the NHL injury report for the Golden Knights. Jaden Schwartz and Philipp Grubauer are out for Seattle.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken Odds Breakdown
Vegas
The Golden Knights are favorites in the Golden Knights vs. Kraken best bets with -135 moneyline odds and -1.5 (+175) puck line odds. The over/under is 5.5.
Seattle
Seattle is the betting underdog with NHL odds of +115 for the moneyline and +1.5 (-275) for the puck line.
Vegas Golden Knights vs Seattle Kraken Betting Pick and Prediction
Seattle comes into this game with all the momentum and should have the benefit of better goaltending. Vegas has won each of the last three games against the Kraken, all of which have been under the total. Outdoor games have historically been slightly lower scoring as well.
Pick 1: Seattle Kraken +115
Pick 2: Under 5.5 (+105)
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