Toronto Maple Leafs (21-13-8) vs. Seattle Kraken (19-16-9)
In the fast-paced world of NHL, where hockey expert picks are constantly in demand, the upcoming match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Seattle Kraken is shaping up to be a thrilling encounter. This regular-season game, scheduled at 9:00 PM ET at the Climate Pledge Arena, promises to be an intriguing battle on ice as both teams seek to improve their standings.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have displayed an array of offensive skills this season. Right wing William Nylander leads with 57 points – 21 goals and 36 assists – while center Auston Matthews comes close behind with 50. Their performance must also be evaluated against Kraken defensive capabilities; although despite some struggles on defense themselves, they have shown resilience on the road with 16-8 record against spread record; it will be challenging for Leafs players to break through this formidable defense and utilize their offensive strengths effectively.
On the other side of things, Seattle Kraken have shown considerable promise offensively despite having less impressive overall stats. Oliver Bjorkstrand leads their offensive lineup with 35 points including 12 goals; Vince Dunn and Jared McCann provide additional depth. However, their performance against Leafs defense will be crucial; exploiting any vulnerabilities should allow Seattle Kraken’s offense to come out victorious in this matchup.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Seattle Kraken Game Info
| When: | Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Climate Pledge Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Ilya Samsonov vs. Goaltender Joey Daccord
The goaltending matchup is a pivotal factor in this game. Ilya Samsonov has struggled mightily during his first season as Toronto’s starting netminder. In 16 starts, he’s posted a mediocre 3.88 goals against average along with a paltry .863 save percentage. Samsonov has allowed 3 or more goals in 10 of those 16 starts, and he recently gave up an embarrassing 6 goals in his last outing. With his confidence shaken, he could be in for another long night against Seattle’s quick forecheckers.
Meanwhile, Joey Daccord has been superb in his breakout campaign for the Kraken. In 28 appearances, the first-year starter boasts a stellar 2.28 GAA to go along with a sparkling .923 save percentage – good for 6th best in the entire NHL. Daccord has held opponents to 2 goals or fewer in 18 of 28 starts this season. Going head-to-head with the struggling Samsonov, Daccord and his hot hand give the Kraken a monumental advantage in net on Sunday night.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
As the betting odds for the game remain TBD, it’s essential for bettors to keep a keen eye on the developments. The odds, once announced, will offer further insights into the expected performance and public sentiment towards both teams.
Toronto Maple Leafs Betting Trends
The Maple Leafs trends paint an ugly picture leading up to this road matchup in Seattle. Not only have they lost 5 straight games, but they’ve also failed to cover the spread in any of those defeats while seeing 4 of those 5 contests finish under the total. Toronto is scoring just 2.2 goals per game over their skid and their power play has completely dried up.
Seattle Kraken Betting Trends
While the Kraken have also lost 5 straight games, they’ve shown some value for bettors during that stretch by covering the spread in 4 of those losses. Seattle is also a spectacular 16-8 against the spread on their home ice this season, which bodes well for their chances of covering as favorites against Toronto. The only concern is that totals have gone under in 4 of their last 5 contests, so the over 6.5 total could be tricky to surpass, even with the Maple Leafs porous defense in town.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Seattle Kraken 1/21/24 Betting Picks
Given the current form and trends, this game appears to be a clash of two underperforming teams, each with their own set of strengths and weaknesses. The key to a winning pick lies in analyzing how these elements will play out against each other. The goaltending performance, in particular, could be a decisive factor.
When considering the best online betting strategy, it might be prudent to look at the over/under and prop bets, given the fluctuating offensive and defensive capabilities of both teams. Bettors should pay close attention to the evolving odds and the teams’ performance leading up to the game for the most informed betting decision.
