Expert prediction
NHL Playoffs Game One: Kraken vs Avalanche Prediction, Odds, and Picks (Apr 18)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- Defending Stanley Cup champions open their playoff campaign at home against the Seattle Kraken
- Seattle Kraken competing in the NHL playoffs for the first time in franchise history
An exciting opening round clash in the Western Conference is set for Tuesday, as the Colorado Avalanche kick off their Stanley Cup defense in the post-season against the Seattle Kraken. Both sides should come into this series in good confidence when it comes to reaching the next round.
How To Watch
- When: Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 10:00 p.m ET
- Where: Ball Arena, Colorado
- How To Watch: NHL TV
Odds
| Kraken | Avalanche |
|---|---|
Team News
The Colorado Avalanche will have the added pressure as defending champions coming into this opening round series against the Seattle Kraken. Colorado ended the regular campaign in third overall, as they ended the season in excellent form with eight wins from their last ten games. Over that same period, they suffered just a single defeat.
The Avalanche has gone 22-13-6 at Ball Arena this term, meaning that they have picked up seven fewer victories in front of their home fans than they have on the road. That home record will need to improve during this series if they are to reach the second round this term.
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The Seattle Kraken has already made history this season, as they will compete in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. It has been a solid campaign by the Kraken, as they finished seventh overall in the West, and picked up an away record of 26-11-4.
They hit a slump in their form at the start of the calendar year, but they improved over the final month of the season to win six of their final ten games. We do think that there could be a shock on the cards in this series, as the Kraken could keep an unlikely Stanley Cup dream alive.
Picks
Seattle’s excellent record on the road this season makes this series even more interesting. We don’t expect it to be easy for the Avalanche, and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Kraken take an early 1-0 series advantage.
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