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: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSGSN, KHN, ESPN+, HULU
This matchup features two out-of-conference opponents in similar standing positions. The Islanders are worse off as they sit eighth in the Eastern Conference’s tough Metropolitan Divison. Their record is 9-10-7 good for 25 points. The Kraken find themselves sixth in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division. Their record is 12-13-1 good for 25 points as well. This will be the second and final matchup between these two teams. The first took place in Seattle at the Climate Pledge Arena, a 3-2 win for the Kraken was the result. This second meeting will take place on Long Island inside UBS Arena.
The Islanders Story
The Islanders just ended their three-game losing streak in their game on Saturday. However, they wasted no time returning to the loss column in their last game. A frustrating 2-1 loss in overtime to one of the worst teams in the NHL the Montreal Canadiens is how they got there. In another game where they out-chanced their opponent, their finishing touch just hasn’t been there. That has been the story far too many times this season. It’s one of the main reasons they rank 29th in goals with 2.50 per game. One of the other main culprits has been the dreadful powerplay. After another 0-3 in their last game, that drops them back to last in the league at 12.3%. The other is the lack of goal-scoring coming from their one remaining healthy star Bo Horvat. He hasn’t scored a goal in 12 games and the 30-goal scorer for three straight seasons only has five in 26 games.
As it has many times this season, the Islander defence was solid in this game. They held the Canadiens to just two goals and gave the team a chance to win this game. They rank 12th in goals against with 2.92 per game. One reason for this is limiting high-danger shots, they rank 16th with 50 allowed. The main reason however is the strong play from their goaltending. In particular, Ilya Sorkin has bounced back in a big way after a disappointing season last year. With a 6-6-4 record, a .916 save percentage and 2.48 goals against. He gives them a chance to win every time he is between the pipes.
The Kraken Story
For the Kraken, they come into this game after snapping a three-game losing streak in their last game. A 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Their offence ranks 20th in goals with 2.85 goals per game. It has not been because of their powerplay, that unit ranks 30th at 14.6%. Instead, it has been 5 on 5, led by second-liner Jared McCann and his 23 points in 26 games. Their top-line players have also been making an impact recently. Yanni Gourde has four goals and four assists in his last nine games. While linemate Jaden Schwartz extended his point streak to three games in their last one.
Like the Kraken offence, their defence ranks in the middle of the pack as well. They are 14th in goals against with 3.00 per game. They allow 27.58 shots per game, which ranks 25th in the league. Along with that, the Kraken allow the seventh most high-danger shots with 57. Goaltender Joey Daccord has been a big reason for some of their success. He has stumbled recently going 2-3 in his last five starts. However, the season numbers are solid with an 11-6-1 record, a .912 save percentage and 2.53 goals against. They have had to lean on him heavily because backup Philipp Grubauer has not gotten the job done. He is 1-7 with a .862 save percentage and 3.62 goals against.
Prediction
The best part of NHL predictions is the prediction part. The Islanders will look to defend home ice the same way Seattle did in their first meeting. Both teams would like these two points given how close they are in the wild card. The Islanders sit just two points behind the last spot. The Kraken are three points out. We expect a close, tight-checking game as both teams are better defensively than offensively. We will give the edge to the Islanders in this one with the home-ice advantage and the goalie advantage as well.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-2
Prop Bets
Fanduel has the Islanders as favourites in this game as they were last time. We like the Islanders’ money line at -132. The over/under is set at 5.5 which is low. Despite that, we are still taking the under at -108 in this game as both teams don’t light it up offensively. As far as any-time goal scorers. For the Islanders take Bo Horvat at +230, His drought is bound to end at some point, why not tonight? For the Kraken, take Jared McCann at +230. He is the team’s leading goal scorer but has just one in the last eight games so he is due to pot one.
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Main Photo: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The post NHL Predictions: December 5 New York Islanders V Seattle Kraken appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.