Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche 4/18/2023 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
West 1st Round – Game 1, Series starts 4/18
The Seattle Kraken are set to face off against the Colorado Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs, with Game 1 taking place at Ball Arena, CO, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 10:00 PM ET. Despite losing their last two matches of the regular season, including two losses to the Golden Knights, the Kraken have made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, an impressive feat for a team in just its second season of existence. Finishing the regular season with a record of 46-28-8, the Kraken secured fourth place in the Pacific Division and a spot in the first round of the playoffs.
During the regular season, the Kraken showed their offensive prowess, tying for fourth place in the league with an average of 3.52 goals per game. However, their defensive performance was slightly weaker, allowing an average of 3.07 goals per game, which ranked them in a tie for 14th place in the league.
In their final game of the regular season against the Golden Knights, the Kraken’s offense struggled despite dominating in shots on goal in the first period, with a 13-5 advantage. The score was tied at 1 after 20 minutes of play, with Jaden Schwartz scoring his 21st goal of the season at 16:50 to even the score after falling behind 1-0. Assists on the goal came from Alex Wennberg and Morgan Geekie. As the Kraken enter the playoffs, they will need to find a way to maintain their offensive firepower while tightening up their defense against a formidable opponent in the Colorado Avalanche.
- The Seattle Kraken is 9-3 SU in their last 12 games on the road.
- The total stayed UNDER in 6 of Seattle’s last 9 games with a team in the Western Con.
- The Kraken is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Central Division.
Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche 4/18/2023 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
Despite facing challenges throughout the season, Colorado finished strong with a 10-2 record in their last 12 games, earning them the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs. With an impressive regular-season record of 51-24-7, the Avalanche narrowly edged out Dallas by just one point to secure the Central Division championship. Offensively, Colorado has been formidable, averaging 3.34 goals per game, which places them tied for tenth in the league. Defensively, they have been solid as well, surrendering an average of 2.72 goals per game, ranking them ninth in goals against. Additionally, their power play has been lethal, converting 24.5% of their chances and ranking sixth in the league.
In their season finale against Nashville, the Avalanche were determined to secure the division title with a win. They dominated the first period with an 18-4 advantage in shots on goal and led 3-1 at the end of the first half. Just 28 seconds into the game, Devon Toews gave Colorado a 1-0 lead with his seventh goal of the year, assisted by Nathan MacKinnon and Evan Rodrigues. MacKinnon then notched his 40th goal of the season at 3:20, extending the lead to 2-0. The Avalanche’s commanding performance in this crucial game exemplifies their unwavering determination and skill as they head into the playoffs.
- The total remained UNDER in 4 of the Colorado Avalanche’s last 5 clashes with Seattle.
- Colorado is 12-2 SU in their last 14 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- The Kraken is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division.
Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche. The NHL pick for this game is the Colorado Avalanche.Throughout the regular season, the visiting team managed to secure victory on three occasions, showcasing their competitiveness. However, as the playoffs approach, there is a noticeable disparity in playoff experience between the teams, especially considering that the Avalanche are the defending champions. Although the recent absence of Gabriel Landeskog, who has been declared out for the playoffs, will be felt by Colorado, they still possess a plethora of other scoring options. This is the same team that staged an impressive rally to clinch the Central Division title in mid-January, despite trailing by 14 points in the standings. As a result, the Colorado Avalanche are poised for success, and it is predicted that they will emerge victorious with a final score of 5-4.
NHL Starting Time: 10:00 PM ET
Location: Ball Arena, CO
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023
TV: ESPN
NHL Odds: Seattle Kraken +175
NHL Totals: 6
