Montreal Canadiens vs Seattle Kraken Picks and Predictions October 29th 2024

The Montreal Canadiens are pushing to secure their first three-game winning streak of the season as they host the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday night. Following back-to-back victories over the St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal’s confidence is rising, but they’re keeping a close eye on improvement areas.

Montreal’s Balanced Approach: Confidence Without Complacency

After Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Flyers, defenseman Mike Matheson emphasized that Montreal needs to stay focused on improvements. Reflecting on a recent 7-2 loss to the New York Rangers, Matheson shared, “I think we still have areas to work on.” Veteran forward Brendan Gallagher, known for his relentless play, finally found the scoresheet on Sunday with a goal and an assist, marking his first points since mid-October. “Take them when you can get them,” Gallagher said, adding that hard work is paying off. Matheson praised Gallagher’s influence, adding, “Sometimes a puck goes in off your knee… usually they do when you’re doing a lot of other things well.”

Kraken Seek Redemption After Three-Game Skid

Seattle heads into Montreal looking to shift momentum after a three-game winless streak (0-2-1). Starting a five-game road trip through Toronto, Ottawa, Boston, and Colorado, Kraken head coach Dan Bylsma stressed the need for a more aggressive, fast-paced style. Following Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, Bylsma remarked, “Your first execution has to be quick and fast and aggressive,” capturing the energy Seattle aims to bring to Montreal on Tuesday.

Spotlight on Top Draft Picks: Juraj Slafkovsky vs. Shane Wright

This game also showcases two top picks from the 2022 NHL Draft: Montreal’s Juraj Slafkovsky, the No. 1 overall pick, and Seattle’s Shane Wright, who went fourth. Slafkovsky has tallied six points (one goal, five assists) in six games, showing growth in his role. Wright, who’s gradually getting more playing time, has recorded one goal and one assist through nine games. Kraken captain Jordan Eberle praised Wright’s potential: “I see him growing as a player every game. He’s got all the tools… The biggest thing is just getting reps and more confidence.”

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Key Factors for Tuesday’s Showdown

Canadiens’ Defensive Strategy: Montreal’s recent defensive improvements will be essential against a Seattle team eager to end their losing streak. Maintaining defensive structure and discipline will be crucial.

Kraken’s Aggressive Execution: Seattle’s path to success lies in bringing a sharp, assertive approach after some recent careless moments on offense.

Consistency as a Priority: Both Montreal and Seattle are searching for early-season rhythm, making Tuesday’s game a valuable test of each team’s ability to maintain momentum.

With both teams eager to prove themselves and build on recent efforts, this matchup in Montreal is shaping up to be a competitive early-season battle.