Kraken vs. Ducks Odds
| Kraken Odds | -176 |
| Ducks Odds | +146 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-124/+100) |
| Time | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | BSSC |
| Odds via FanDuel. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Seattle Kraken opened the season with a heartbreaking loss in Anaheim, as they fell 5-4 in overtime after significantly outplaying the Ducks on the road.
Even in a losing effort it was highly evident the Kraken had played better in that contest, and that clearly was an indicator for the months to follow as Seattle has been one of the Western Conferences better sides at 12-5-3 while Anaheim enters at 6-14-1.
Can Seattle win its fifth straight game Sunday night in Anaheim?
Kraken Are For Real
Seattle clearly lost far more games than it deserved to in its inaugural season, and was already a very logical bounce-back candidate entering this year if it could receive even breakeven goaltending.
Adding two underrated players in wingers Oliver Bjorkstrand and Andre Burakovsky added some serious talent up front, and Justin Schultz has also been an effective addition to the blue line.
Pair that with the fact that 2021 No. 2 overall pick Matty Beniers has played like a legitimate top-six center, and all of a sudden the formerly expansion Kraken are a very irritating side to play against.
Seattle's 12-5-3 record has come with very strong underlying numbers, and altogether this season the Kraken have played to a 53.17% expected goals rating.
Over Seattle's four-game winning streak, it has clearly taken its game to another level, and an elite 57.76 xGF% runs right in line with how the team has looked to the eye.
It seems to be somewhat of a common notion that what Seattle has done thus far is simply smoke and mirrors in the first quarter of this season, yet its roster truly is very well balanced and skating far more talent than many may credit.
Even oddsmakers seem to be slighting the Kraken, as Seattle is still priced at -170 to make the playoffs, and coach Dave Hakstol can still be had at as high as 33-to-1 to win the Jack Adams Award.
Due in large to their strong analytical profile and superb current standing in the Pacific division, Moneypuck has the Kraken at 98% to make the postseason, which is clearly a firm comment towards the disrespect to the Kraken's early play being sustainable.
Seattle's goaltending may be its least sustainable area of success, and would be the first target for naysayers to point out could regress moving forward.
Martin Jones owns a +5.9 goals saved above expected rating and .906 save % throughout 16 games, and will likely start Sunday after resting Friday in Vegas.
Ducks Deserve Poor Record
Anaheim hosted Ottawa Friday afternoon for a battle between the NHL's 31st and 32nd teams in the standings, and the result was a very clear 5-1 win for Ottawa.
The loss moved the Ducks to last place in the standings, and their dreadful -35 goal differential suggests a horrible 6-14-1 record is more than fair.
Anaheim has been outplayed notably throughout November, which has been reflected by its 40.42 xGF%.
Particularly on the blue-line Anaheim simply does not seem to have the talent to turn it around to greatly moving forward, and it's easy to expect a lot of very tough nights in goal for the tandem of Anthony Stolarz and John Gibson all season long.
Gibson will likely start Sunday in favor of Stolarz. Gibson owns a -4.0 goals saved above expected rating with an .895 save %, and it has now been a quietly large sample of below average play from the once spectacular netminder.
Kraken vs. Ducks Pick
Seattle is not going to beat teams with a plethora of elite talent, but it quietly holds more above replacement level players than the vast majority of sides in the NHL, and are capable of coming in waves with four competent offensive units.
The Kraken's deep offensive core should make for a very tough matchup for the Ducks, and they should be able to control three out of every four shifts effectively in this spot.
In all likelihood, Seattle is going to carry far more of the play in this contest, and if it can avoid a nightmare goaltending performance and avoiding allowing multiple power-play goals, it should have an excellent chance to win inside of regulation.
At +105, I believe we are getting an excellent price to back a sneaky good Kraken team to extend their winning streak Sunday, and I would back a regulation win down to the price of -110.
Pick: Seattle Kraken 3-Way Moneyline +105 (Play to -110)
