Toronto Maple Leafs vs Seattle Kraken Picks and Predictions October 31st 2024

Kraken and Maple Leafs Look to Keep Scoring Streaks Alive

The Seattle Kraken and Toronto Maple Leafs enter Thursday’s game at Scotiabank Arena looking to build on recent high-scoring wins. Both teams have used offensive bursts, led by standout hat tricks, to energize their lineups.

Kraken Rolling After Montour’s Hat Trick

Seattle started their five-game road trip with a resounding 8-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, and they’ll look to carry that momentum forward against the Maple Leafs. Defenseman Brandon Montour highlighted the game with his first career hat trick, scoring twice on the power play to cap off his night. Montour’s offensive contributions have been critical to Seattle’s success, particularly in the first period when they jumped out to a 4-0 lead within 11 minutes.

Kraken coach Dan Bylsma praised his team’s early aggression and willingness to get shots on net, something he says had been lacking earlier in the season.

“There’s no secret about really scoring goals in this league: you’ve got to have shot volume, you’ve got to have guys at the net,” Bylsma said. “In the first [period] in particular, we were very good at that.”

Chandler Stephenson was also a major contributor with four assists, adding crucial puck movement and playmaking that opened up opportunities for Montour and others to capitalize on.

Leafs Lean on Tavares’ Leadership

Toronto’s offense also surged in their recent 6-4 victory over Winnipeg on Monday, where John Tavares scored three goals for his 12th career regular-season hat trick. Coach Craig Berube reunited Tavares with William Nylander and added Max Pacioretty, forming a line that racked up nine points. The trio’s chemistry was evident as they each contributed in key ways, from Nylander’s playmaking to Pacioretty’s puck retrieval.

Tavares, now on a five-game point streak, noted the team’s effective use of open ice, adding, “I just liked our pace with our feet, with the puck, without the puck… We drew some penalties early, so I just really liked the energy and pace of our game.”

With Pacioretty performing well in his new role alongside Tavares and Nylander, the Leafs seem to have found a combination that clicks, adding crucial depth and scoring ability.

Special Teams Spotlight

Both teams’ power plays shined in their recent victories. Seattle scored three times with the man advantage against Montreal, a significant improvement for a team that struggled on the power play early in the season. Montour was the main beneficiary of these opportunities, and his performance gave Seattle’s special teams a much-needed boost.

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Toronto also benefitted from their power play, utilizing it to secure their early lead against Winnipeg. With both teams looking sharp on special teams, Thursday’s matchup may hinge on which squad can capitalize more effectively when they have the advantage.

Key Matchup: Controlling Momentum Early

With both teams scoring quickly and building big leads in recent games, the first period will be crucial on Thursday night. Seattle’s fast start against Montreal was instrumental in their blowout victory, and Toronto’s early goals against Winnipeg helped them fend off a later rally from the Jets. Expect both coaches to emphasize the need for a strong start, especially as the Kraken try to maintain momentum on their road trip and the Leafs aim to give their home crowd an early boost.

Prediction

Both the Kraken and Maple Leafs are riding high on offense, so fans should expect plenty of action and scoring. Given Toronto’s historical dominance over Seattle, the Maple Leafs might have a slight edge, but with Seattle’s power play finding its stride, it’s likely to be a close game.