USA: NHL
Analysis – Seattle Kraken
Seattle Kraken currently holds a 6-8-1 record, indicating a challenging start to the season. They average 2.87 goals per game (GF/G) but allow 3.20 goals (GA/G), suggesting a lack of solid defense and goaltending. Joey Daccord is a more reliable goalie alongside Grubauer, but Daccord’s GAA is 2.79, while Grubauer’s is 3.27, which is not top performance. Their penalty kill (77.55%) is somewhat below the league average (79.45%), requiring improvement.
Key players like Vince Dunn and Philipp Grubauer have struggled with injuries, weakening the Kraken’s defensive strength. Additionally, forwards like Jared McCann (7 goals, 10 assists) and Brandon Montour (4 goals, 7 assists) are generally in good form, yet the team has trouble maintaining stable and consistent performance.
Seattle’s Corsi (CF%) at 49.1% is weaker than Columbus at 52.5%, indicating they’re often under pressure during games. Among Kraken players, Jared McCann and Jordan Eberle are relatively strong in the offense, while young players like Matty Beniers show developing form. Their low shooting accuracy (S% – 8.3%) is also weaker than Columbus, indicating a lack of offensive stability.
Analysis – Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets are currently on a 0-4-1 losing streak, averaging 3.14 goals per game but allowing 3.50 goals. Their goaltending clearly needs improvement, with both Daniil Tarasov (GAA 3.89) and Elvis Merzlikins (GAA 2.89) falling below league standards. Their penalty kill (82.5%) is better than Seattle’s, potentially giving them an advantage in special play situations.
In the Columbus offense, Kirill Marchenko and Sean Monahan are in good form, but they have scored only nine goals in their last five games. Frustration around the team, reflected in Werenski’s comments, suggests motivational issues that could impact performance. On the positive side, Columbus is stronger in the offensive zone based on Corsi and Fenwick stats, indicating frequent activity in their offensive play.
Tip Recommendations – Risk Levels and Reasoning
Low-Risk Tip
- Under 6.5 goals in the game (probability: 60%): Both teams’ offenses have not been particularly strong lately and tend to score fewer goals.
Odds: 1.81 – Safe Kelly: 3%
Medium-Risk Tip
- Seattle Kraken scores first (probability: 60%): Columbus starts slowly in games, while Seattle is usually more proactive.
Odds: 1.67 – Safe Kelly: 1%
Summary and Interesting Facts
The Kraken is highly motivated to break their losing streak against Columbus, while the Blue Jackets are in a negative spiral that they urgently want to improve. Coaching discipline, as seen with Bjorkstrand, may positively impact the Kraken’s attitude.