Seattle looking to get back on track
It hasn’t been the greatest campaign for the Kraken so far, sitting in sixth place in the Pacific Division with a 15-17-2 record. They’ve struggled to score goals, ranking 23rd in the league with just 2.82 per contest. Seattle has also registered just 27.1 shots on target per contest. That’s 26th in the league.
The Kraken have just two scorers in double figures – Jared McCann and Oliver Bjorkstrand. McCann has tallied 26 points, which leads the team, while Bjorkstrand has 23. Brandon Montour, Chandler Stephenson, Jaden Schwartz, and Matty Beniers are all contributing as well. There’s just a lack of goals being scored outside of their top two guys.
Sunday’s affair is the second-last game on this road trip for Seattle. However, they have six days off after this one due to Christmas, giving them time to recuperate and hopefully get back in the win column if it doesn’t happen in Colorado. There is still a long season ahead but if the Kraken are going to make a run at a playoff spot, they need to be a mile better offensively. Seattle is an underdog versus the Avalanche at NHL sportsbooks.
Avs having a solid campaign
Colorado once again looks like a Cup contender, occupying third place in the Central Division with a 20-15-0 record. Led by reigning Hart Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon, the Avs are 7-3-0 in their last 10 contests and have had the exact opposite issue from Seattle. Colorado is scoring loads of goals but struggling to contain opponents in front of their own net.
Jared Bednar’s squad ranks eighth in goals scored but 26th in goals allowed. MacKinnon is the main man as always with 14 goals and 41 assists, while Mikko Rantanen has 19 goals and 31 assists. Cale Makar, one of the best defensemen in the sport, also has 42 points, including 32 helpers.
MacKinnon was the star of the show on Friday, scoring once and tallying two assists against the lowly Ducks. Makar and Rantanen also posted two points apiece. Overall, it was a very clean performance from the Avalanche, holding Anaheim to 0 for 5 on the power play. Scott Wedgewood made 30 saves on 32 shots in net. But, it will likely be Mackenzie Blackwood in net here, who was just acquired recently in a trade with the Sharks. Colorado is a heavy -223 favorite for this game.
Kraken vs Avalanche betting trends
Colorado thrives in this position, going 17-8 as a moneyline favorite. The Kraken meanwhile have gone 8-14-2 as a moneyline underdog and own an 8-8 ATS road record. The Avalanche have won four of the last five meetings as well. The under in total goals has hit in six of the last nine matchups between these two organizations.
