Rangers vs. Kraken Prediction and Odds: New York's Offense Will Strike Against Seattle

The New York Rangers (5-2-1) shutout the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, 4-0. Goalie Igor Shesterkin saved all 31 shots he faced and Chris Kreider would put two shots past Columbus' goalie Elvis Merzlikins in the win. 

Shesterkin (4-1-1, 1.81 GAA, .944 SV%) will be between the pipes again tonight as head coach Gerard Gallant continues to ride the hot hand in goal. Shesterkin has allowed one or fewer goals in four of his six appearances this season.

The Seattle Kraken (3-4-1) have won two in a row at home, defeating the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, 5-1, and topping the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, 4-1. The Kraken will play the fourth and final game of their current homestand.

Philipp Grubauer (3-3-1, 2.93 GAA, .897 SV%) is expected to be in net for Seattle. Grubauer has not allowed more than one goal in each of his last two appearances. Head coach Dave Hakstol will continue to put Grubauer in the crease while he is playing well.

Here are the odds for this NHL matchup, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Rangers vs. Kraken Odds and Total

Moneyline: 

• Rangers -112
• Kraken +102

Puck Line:

• Rangers -1.5 (+200)
• Kraken +1.5 (-240)

Total: 5.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Rangers vs. Kraken Prediction and Pick

The Rangers offense has been playing too quietly. They are currently 26th in the NHL with 2.4 goals per game. I don’t think they will stay down there for too long. New York hasn’t been taking many shots as well, averaging 28.3 shots per game, 28th in the NHL. 

Defensively for the Kraken, they are allowing 3.1 goals per game, 21st in the NHL, which could be good news for the Rangers. 

Neither of these teams have been doing well with the man-advantage, but New York’s power play unit has not been playing up to its potential, and its power play success rate should be climbing soon.

It can be difficult to determine how well a team can perform in small samples, so I’m backing the Rangers’ talent in this game.

I’m taking New York on the moneyline and I’ll take the -1.5 (+200) puck line.