Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche 4/26/2023 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
West 1st Round – Game 5, Series tied 2-2
The stage is set for an intense Game 5 between the Seattle Kraken and the Colorado Avalanche in their Western Conference first-round best-of-seven series. With the series currently deadlocked at 2-2, both teams are hungry for a pivotal win to gain the upper hand. Seattle comes into this matchup with a boost of confidence after securing a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over Colorado in their last showdown on Monday.
However, the victory came at a cost for the Kraken as they lost their leading scorer, Jared McCann, to injury after a hit from Colorado defenseman Cale Makar. McCann’s absence will undoubtedly be felt by the team, and they will need other players to step up in his absence.
Jaden Schwartz has been leading the way for Seattle in terms of goals, with two to his name, while seven other players have contributed with one goal each, showcasing the team’s depth on offense. Justin Schultz has been a key playmaker for the Kraken, leading the team in assists with four and total points with five, closely followed by Yanni Gourde with three assists. In net, Philipp Grubauer has a 2-2 record with a goals-against average of 3.06 and a save percentage of .916, displaying his resilience between the pipes.
- The total stayed UNDER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games on the road against Colorado.
- The Kraken is 6-2 SU in their last 8 games against an opponent in the Central Division.
- The Seattle Kraken is 5-12 SU in their last 17 games played on a Wednesday.
Seattle Kraken vs Colorado Avalanche 4/26/2023 Odds, Free Picks and Predictions
The Colorado Avalanche will be eager to take a 3-2 lead in the series as they return home for Game 5 against the Seattle Kraken. In their previous matchup, Mikko Rantanen was the standout player for Colorado, single-handedly scoring both of their goals in the second period. Colorado was outshot by Seattle 43-22, but Alexandar Georgiev stood tall, making an impressive 40 saves to keep his team in the game.
Rantanen has been leading the charge for Colorado in postseason goal-scoring, with an impressive five goals to his name, while Nathan MacKinnon has contributed two goals of his own. Four players are tied with three assists each, showcasing the team’s depth in playmaking, and Rantanen leads the team in points with six, closely followed by three other players with four points each.
- Colorado is 14-4 SU in their last 18 games with a team in the Western Conference.
- The total stayed UNDER in 4 of Colorado’s last 5 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division.
- The Colorado Avalanche is 9-3 SU in their last 12 games played in April.
Colorado Avalanche vs Seattle Kraken. The NHL pick for this game is Colorado. While Colorado is expected to bounce back and secure a victory to take a 3-2 lead in the series, from a betting perspective, the smart play here could be to bet on the UNDER. Based on past matchups between these two teams, particularly when played in Colorado, as well as their overall history, the UNDER has been a winning bet. Both Seattle and Colorado have showcased strong defensive performances during the postseason, with each team boasting a goals-against average of 3.00. Taking into consideration the defensive prowess of both teams, my prediction is that Colorado will secure the win with a score of UNDER 3-2.
NHL Starting Time: 9:30 PM (EDT)
Location: Ball Arena in Denver, CO
Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023
TV: ESPN
NHL Odds: Colorado Avalanche-185
NHL Totals: 6.0
