After coming so close in their inaugural season, the Vegas Golden Knights made it to the top and lifted the Stanley Cup in their sixth season in the NHL, a remarkable feat.
The Seattle Kraken made it to the second round in their second season in the league last season, defeating the defending champion Colorado Avalanche along the way.
Now, these two recent expansion squads will meet on the opening night of the regular season as the Knights look to begin their title defense and the Kraken seek a trophy of their own.
With just a few days until puck drop, let’s look at the latest NHL odds for this Pacific Division clash and make some Kraken vs Golden Knights picks.
Kraken vs Golden Knights Odds
NHL odds used for these Opening Night predictions are current as of Monday, Oct. 2, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Moneyline: Kraken (+142) @ Golden Knights (-170)
- Puck Line: Kraken +1.5 (-175) @ Golden Knights -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under: Over 6 (-120) / Under 6 (+100)
Kraken vs Golden Knights Prediction
Golden Knights 5, Kraken 3
Anchored by team points leader Jared McCann on the left wing and Calder Trophy winner Matty Beniers at center, the Kraken scored the sixth-most goals in the league last year.
They’re going up against the defending champs, who didn’t score as much in the regular season but kicked it into high gear during their playoff run with an offense centered around Jack Eichel.
Knights goaltender Adin Hill was also an enormous part of Vegas’ championship run, allowing just 2.17 goals per game throughout the postseason.
He’ll be back in the net, and the whole team will be fired up as they celebrate their historic Stanley Cup win. Expect the Knights to edge out a promising Kraken team on opening night.
Kraken vs Golden Knights Best Bets
Golden Knights -1.5 (+145)
This is a great way to grab extra value compared to the moneyline, as the game could essentially play out as a one-goal win for Vegas, and this bet could still hit with an empty netter.
The Golden Knights will have home-ice advantage, and they’re a defending champion that ripped through the playoffs with a 16-6 record and a +31 goal differential.
They’ve proven that they have the talent and teamwork to be favored, and this is great value to back them. (And check out their chances to repeat in our Stanley Cup odds.)
Over 6 (-120)
This will rarely be a bad bet with the supercharged and well-balanced Seattle offense.
One thing the Kraken haven’t identified is a star netminder, leaving them vulnerable in their defensive zone. Furthermore, if the Knights experience a “championship hangover,” it’s likely to hit them hardest on the defensive end of the ice.
In addition to investing in a pair of talented offenses, this is insurance on that puck line.