Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the Seattle Kraken. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Seattle Kraken
Time: 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSGSN; KHN
This matchup features two out-of-conference opponents in similar positions in the standings. The Islanders are just managing to keep their heads above water. They sit in fifth place in the Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division with a record of 7-6-4 through 17 games. While the Kraken are in sixth place in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. Their record is 8-8-1 through 17 games. This will be the first of two meetings between these two. This game taking place at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle as the Islanders continue their west-coast trip. The Islanders are 2-2-2 against Seattle all-time including two overtime losses to the Kraken in their matchups last season.
The Islanders Story
It was an impressive win for the Islanders in their last game, a 5-2 win against a good Vancouver Canucks team. They now have points in five straight games. The offence has come to life for New York over the past week scoring three or more goals in all five games during this point streak. They have a 7-1-3 record when scoring three or more goals. Led by Kyle Palmieri and his 15 points in 17 games. He has had a solid season thus far and through seven games this month he has eight points. Followed Bo Horvat and Anders Lee who have played well together on the top line. Lee in particular was a third-line player to start to year but has stepped up in a big way since the injuries. He has been on a heater, the Canucks game was his third multi-point effort in the last four games. The team overall still ranks 25th in goals with 2.65 goals per game but they are on the rise.
The Islander defence has been going through a lull recently due to the injuries. However, they played a great game in Vancouver. They dominated stretches of the game, holding the Canucks to just six shots through two periods. That matched the fewest allowed by an Islander team in 21 years. More good news as Alexander Romanov was able to shed his non-contact jersey at practice. His imminent return will give a nice boost to the team ranking tied for 14th in goals against with 3.06 a game. The team’s goalie tandem has been a big part of that. Semyon Varlamov was solid in the last game, bringing his record to 3-3-1 with a .892 save percentage and 2.86 goals against. The team’s start Ilya Sorokin has been even better and is the confirmed starter for this game. He is 4-3-3 with an impressive .915 save percentage and 2.66 goals against.
The Kraken Story
Seattle has been hot recently as they ride a three-game winning streak into this game. The Kraken have played well at home as this three-game streak has all been home games. However, their offence has been inconsistent this season. Led by Jared McCann and his 20 points in 17 games. Their offence ranks tied for 17th in the league in goals with 3.00 per game. With a middle-of-the-pack powerplay ranking 16th in the league at 19.2%. They will need someone else to step up and score as their secondary point leader Jordan Eberle was announced to miss at least their next two games. He will be re-evaluated after this weekend.
The Kraken defence has been decent this season. They rank tied for 11th in the league in goals against with 3.00 per game. However if not for the strong goalie play of Joey Daccord, the team’s goals against numbers could be worse off. The Kraken have allowed the sixth most high-danger shots against in the league with 40. Daccord has been solid with a 7-3-1 record, a .918 save percentage and a 2.55 goals against. The team has ridden the hot hand as he has started the last three during the team’s winning streak. While a starter hasn’t been announced yet, Daccord might be in line for a break as the Kraken will be on the first of a back-to-back set. This means their backup Philipp Grubauer could be in line for the start, his numbers aren’t nearly as strong. He has a 1-5 record with a .877 goals against and a 3.27 goals against.
NHL Predictions Isles and Kraken
The Kraken come into this game on a hot streak. The Islanders are also playing well on their five-game point streak and coming off their most impressive win of the season. With the injury to Eberle, the Kraken will struggle to generate offence against an Islander team who plays good defence and has an edge in the goalie department. The advantage in these two areas for New York will be enough for them to come into Seattle and end their winning streak.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-2
Prop Bets
According to Fanduel, the Islanders come into this game as the underdog. They are +104 on the book, we like those odd at plus money so take them. The over/under is set at 5.5. The Islanders have scored three or more goals in three straight games. The Kraken have scored three or more in their last four games. We think this line is too low and the over will hit at -114. As far as any-time goal scorers, for the Islanders, take Brock Nelson at +210. He only has one goal in the last five games so we think he is due to score. For the Kraken take Jared McCann at +190. With the injury to Eberle, if anyone is going to score on Seattle McCann will be in the middle of it.
Main Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
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