Welcome to this edition of NHL Predictions. Each day, the Last Word on Hockey team will dig in for the details on each game, analyzing teams, players, and elements for what could weigh into the matchup’s outcome. Today, we’re looking at the match between the Seattle Kraken and Carolina Hurricanes. Feel free to check out our other NHL Predictions as the season continues.
NHL Predictions
Seattle Kraken at Carolina Hurricanes
Time: 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: FDSNSO, KHN, KONG, ESPN+
The Seattle Kraken are crossing the country for their second meeting with the Carolina Hurricanes. In October when the teams played in Seattle, the Hurricanes topped the Kraken 4-1. Since then, both teams remain in a similar position within the standings. The Kraken will be looking to capitalize on the moment and mount a comeback after three straight losses as they face the Hurricanes, who have just faced two brutal losses in a back-to-back sweep against their Eastern Conference Rivals, the Florida Panthers.
The Hurricanes Story
Starting off this set of NHL Predictions, let’s start with the home team. The Carolina Hurricanes had an interesting week over their Thanksgiving holiday. On Monday they faced the Dallas Stars, who sat in the Western Conference’s top five teams at the time. The game against the Stars was a come-from-behind win for the Hurricanes, who won 6-4 after recording five goals in the third period. The next game on the list was against the rival New York Rangers. It was a back-and-forth match, with the Blueshirts leading as they went into the third frame. Nonetheless, the Canes rallied for two more goals for a 4-3 win as the rookie Jackson Blake achieved his third career game-winning goal in the NHL.
After the short one-day break for Thanksgiving, the Carolina Hurricanes were back in the trenches to face the Florida Panthers on Friday for the first of two back-to-back matinee games. The beginning of the first match, the only one that the Panthers will play in Raleigh this regular season, was another back-and-forth up until the third period. However, the third period was not in the cards for the Canes as the Panthers pounced with a natural goal, a short-handed goal, and an empty netter.
The Canes’ Previous Game
The next day, the Canes dropped into Sunrise with Spencer Martin starting in the net, the first time a Canes netminder has done so in two games over two days since Antti Raanta completed two wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers in the two games prior to Christmas in 2022. Sadly for Martin, instead of completing two wins, he finished the back-to-back with two losses. After allowing five goals, Head Coach Rod Brind’Amour opted to put Yaniv Perets in the net to relieve Martin. In only his second time on NHL ice, he made six saves and allowed one goal – the most of both in his very young NHL career.
The game ended with a shut-out by Florida Panthers goalie Spencer Knight, a final score of 6-0. Uncharacteristically so, the Canes were outshot by the Cats 35-20. As with most rivalries, it was a highly physical game, with several incidents of roughing and general scuffles between the teams, and a combined total of 48 hits throughout the game.
The Kraken Story
The Seattle Kraken have been having some trouble this season. Currently sitting toward the bottom of the standings, they have more losses than they do wins and ties combined. As expected, the Kraken’s Captain Jordan Eberle was placed on the team’s long-term injured reserve Saturday as he recovers from pelvic surgery. He sustained the initial injury on November 14th, hitting the boards after a rough collision with Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Connor Murphy. He isn’t expected to return to the ice until mid-February at least. Meanwhile, Saturday night saw the return of Vince Dunn to the lineup after a six-week injury absence. However, the night also saw Chandler Stephenson sitting out the game due to illness, for which he is considered day-to-day.
The previous five games have been against Pacific Division rivals – the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, and San Jose Sharks. Of the five played, the Kraken only managed to get the win on one. In the recent back-to-back with the San Jose Sharks, the set started with a high-scoring game of 8-5 in the Sharks’ favour.
The Kraken’s Previous Game
The next game did not quite reach such a scoring total. Playing in Seattle, the Sharks dominated for the first half of the game, scoring four straight with both Mikael Granlund and Jake Walman setting up each goal for two helpers apiece. During the second half of the game, the Kraken tried to come back. In the second frame, Jaden Schwartz logged his fifth goal of the season, a snapper past Mackenzie Blackwood. The frame of the game saw Jared McCann launch a wrist shot to the back of the net. In the final seconds of the game, Matty Beniers managed to score another goal for the home team. However, it was ultimately recalled due to goaltender interference. The game came to a conclusion with a loss for Seattle. They were topped 4-2 as the Sharks completed the back-to-back sweep.
NHL Predictions Featuring the Seattle Kraken at the Carolina Hurricanes
This matchup will be rather fascinating. Despite the distance in points between the two, both teams sit with five wins in the past ten games, with five losses, though Carolina has an overtime loss with four regulation losses. On the stat side of the game, the Kraken take the disadvantage in nearly all comparisons except for one aspect, which could prove to be a big one. Between the two teams, the Canes are most often in the box, with a whopping 12 penalties above the league average.
Meanwhile, the Kraken has 11 less than the average, and has actually been slightly above the Canes in drawing penalties in their favour – both fairly above league average in that metric. However, the advantage in special teams goes to Carolina, hands down. Their power play percentage is at a whopping 26.58% (over five percent above league average), while their penalty kill dazzles at 82.14% (nearly four percent above league average).
In the net, the Seattle Kraken have an ever-so-slight advantage per the stats. However, the circumstances of those stats may change in the upcoming game. Over the past four games, the crease has missed the presence of starting goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov due to a head injury. On Friday, Rod Brind’Amour stated that Kochetkov “looks fine and is feeling good”, per Team Writer Walt Ruff, but ultimately did not play. Monday, another update was given by Brind’Amour, who stated that the young goaltender only has one more test to get through before he is cleared to play. Furthermore, Kochetkov has returned to practice, making his presence known in his usual, colourful way. There is a strong possibility that he will make his return to the net on Tuesday.
Prediction: Hurricanes win 4-3
Your Prop Bets of the Night
Bet365 has the over/under for this game at 6.0, with over being slightly favoured. For goalscorers, NHL’s First Star of November, Martin Nečas (+155), would be a decent bet. The Seattle Kraken have a higher gamble in Matty Beniers (+350), a player well overdue for a goal and hungry to get right back at it following his most recent goal being taken back due to goaltender interference. Looking for points, Andrei Svechnikov (-180) and Chandler Stephenson (+128) would be good choices. However, if Stephenson sits this game out as well, Brandon Montour (+115) would make for a fair alternative.
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Main Photo: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The post NHL Predictions: December 3 with Seattle Kraken at Carolina Hurricanes appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.