New Jersey Devils vs. Seattle Kraken – The New Jersey Devils roll into Climate Pledge Arena on Thursday night to take on the Seattle Kraken in this inter-conference showdown. The Devils have been hot lately, winning 4 of their last 5 games to improve to 11-10-1 on the season. Meanwhile, the Kraken have struggled, losing 4 of 5 to fall to 8-12-6. This battle features two teams trending in opposite directions. Read on for a full breakdown of the matchup including analysis, betting trends, picks, and more to find the NHL winning pick.
New Jersey Devils vs Seattle Kraken
Date & Time: Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 10:30 PM ET
Location: Climate Pledge Arena
TV: ESPN
New Jersey Devils vs Seattle Kraken Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puckline | Total |
| Devils | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Kraken | TBD | TBD | TBD |
New Jersey Devils Analysis
Led by top scorers Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt, the Devils boast one of the most dynamic offenses in hockey. Hughes is playing at an MVP level with 9 goals and a team-high 21 assists, while Bratt has chipped in 8 goals and 18 assists. New Jersey averages 3.5 goals per game, trailing only Boston in the Eastern Conference. They face a Kraken defense that is surrendering 3.8 goals per contest. If Hughes and Bratt can continue their stellar play, the Devils should light the lamp often.
In net, Vitek Vanecek has been steady if unspectacular. He is allowing 3.49 goals against per game, which ranks 25th among goalies with 15+ games played. Vanecek will need to be sharper against a Kraken offense that averages 3.2 goals per game. Forwards Andre Burakovsky and Jared McCann pace the Seattle attack with a combined 19 goals between them. If Vanecek can limit the dangerous Kraken power play (25.5% conversion rate), he should give his offense a chance to build a lead.
Seattle Kraken Analysis
While the Kraken offense has flashed potential, the team has struggled to sustain any consistency. Outside of Burakovsky and McCann, Seattle lacks secondary scoring punch. No other forward has more than 7 goals on the year. Against a stingy Devils defense allowing just 2.7 goals per game (4th best in NHL), secondary contributors like Oliver Bjorkstrand must step up. Still, the Kraken power play could be an area to exploit the New Jersey penalty kill that ranks 20th at 78.3%.
In goal, offseason acquisition Philipp Grubauer has failed to solidify the position. Grubauer’s 3.35 GAA and .883 save percentage are among the worst in hockey for goalies with 15+ games played. He must bring his best against a Devils offense that features Hughes, Bratt and sniper Tyler Toffoli. New Jersey’s 3.5 goals per game trails only Boston. If Grubauer can’t sharpen up, this game could get ugly quick.
New Jersey Devils vs Seattle Kraken Against The Spread
The Devils are just 2-3 against the spread (ATS) over their last 5 contests but have covered in 4 of their last 6 road games. The Kraken are 1-4 ATS over their previous 5 overall but have covered in 6 of their last 11 at Climate Pledge Arena. With both teams playing to trends, this matchup is tough to predict ATS.
New Jersey Devils vs Seattle Kraken Free Pick
The betting odds for this game is still to be determined, however based on the team statistics and trends here are the picks:
Moneyline: New Jersey Devils
The Devils’ overall balance and recent form make them the safer bet.
Spread: New Jersey Devils
Given the Kraken’s recent struggles, the Devils are likely to cover the spread.
Total: Over
Considering the trends and the offensive capabilities of both teams, a high-scoring game seems probable.
Predicted Score: New Jersey Devils 4, Seattle Kraken 2
In conclusion, while both teams present unique strengths and challenges, the New Jersey Devils appear to be the more balanced and in-form team, making them the preferred pick. For those betting through a Canadian sportsbook, the Devils’ moneyline and covering the spread seem like the most reliable options. However, in the dynamic world of the NHL, surprises are always around the corner, and this game could very well be a testament to that.
