Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks Picks and Predictions November 14th 2024

Seattle Kraken vs Chicago Blackhawks November 14th 2024

The Blackhawks and Kraken are set to face off at 10:00 ET on ESPN+. The Kraken will host the game at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA. The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals, and the Kraken are the -1.5 goal favorites against the Blackhawks in a Western conference matchup.

Chicago vs. Seattle Key Information

With a 4-2 win over the Ducks, the Blackhawks improved to 6-9-1 this season. Chicago covered the puck line as underdogs, and the total of 6 goals fell just short of the pre-game line of 6.5.

All four of Chicago’s goals came from different players, and they held the Ducks scoreless until the third period. Isaak Phillips opened the scoring at 7:03 in the first period.

Chicago’s offense put 29 shots on goal in their 4-2 win over Anaheim, with 12 giveaways. Ryan Donato netted his 7th goal of the season, while Seth Jones added his 2nd. Isaak Phillips scored his 1st goal of the year, and Teuvo Teravainen tallied his 4th, with his goal coming on a power play.

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Connor Bedard contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to 9. Taylor Hall also added an assist, now with 4 on the year. The Blackhawks scored twice in the 1st period, added another in the 2nd, and finished with a 4th goal in the 3rd.

Defensively, the Blackhawks will look to carry over their performance from their previous game, where they allowed just two goals to the Ducks. Arvid Söderblom recorded 38 saves with a 95% save percentage. The defense also posted 6 takeaways and 5 hits. The Blackhawks will look to tighten things up in the 3rd period, where they gave up both of their goals, including one with just 4 seconds left.

Seattle’s record dropped to 7-8-1 after a 2-0 loss to the Bruins. The Kraken entered as underdogs on the puck line, and the total was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 2 fell well short of that mark.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period, with the first scored just 3:23 into the game. Seattle’s offense struggled, managing 23 shots on goal but failing to find the net.

Seattle’s offense struggled in their 2-0 loss to the Bruins, failing to find the back of the net despite firing 23 shots on goal. The Kraken were also plagued by 19 giveaways, which hampered their ability to generate scoring opportunities.

After a scoreless first period, the Kraken were unable to capitalize on any of their chances in the second and third periods, finishing the game with zero goals for the first time this season.

Seattle’s defense struggled early, giving up two goals in the first period, including one just 3:23 into the game. However, they tightened up afterward, allowing no goals in the second and third periods. Joey Daccord finished with 31 saves and a 93.9% save percentage.

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Blackhawks to take down the Kraken on the road. With the moneyline currently at +136, I’m placing my bet on the Blackhawks straight-up.

If you’re looking to get a bet down on this matchup, we foresee the Blackhawks winning the underdog. However, if you’re not as confident in the Blackhawks straight-up, we’d still recommend placing a bet on them to cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 5.5 goals, we believe that this game will remain below that figure, and we recommend wagering on the under.

Kraken Look to Maintain Momentum Against Blackhawks

The Seattle Kraken are eager to get off to a stronger start when they host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday night. Despite falling behind early in their past two games, the Kraken have shown resilience, rallying to secure consecutive victories. Now, they’ll aim for a more complete performance as they continue their six-game homestand.

Kraken’s Resilient Comebacks Fuel Recent Wins

Seattle found itself in a familiar hole on Tuesday, down two goals in the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets. However, just as they did against the Vegas Golden Knights last Friday, the Kraken mounted a comeback, ultimately winning 5-2. In that previous matchup with Vegas, Seattle pulled off a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory.

Fourth-line contributors Brandon Tanev, Yanni Gourde, and Tye Kartye have been pivotal in these comeback wins. Tanev has been particularly effective, scoring twice against Vegas and adding a goal against Columbus. The trio has combined for a +5 rating over the last two games, providing a spark when the Kraken needed it most.

“It’s obviously not the start we wanted,” Tanev said after the win over Columbus. “But I think we found a way to make some plays, and good things will happen when you’re playing the right way.”

Tanev’s equalizer against the Blue Jackets came on a well-executed two-on-one with Gourde. The forward credited his teammate for creating space: “My goal doesn’t happen without Yanni driving the net and clearing space for me.”

The Kraken coach, Dan Bylsma, emphasized the importance of staying focused on the game plan after a shaky start: “The message after the first was, ‘Get your heads up and play.’”

Seattle’s special teams also came through, with Eeli Tolvanen scoring a crucial power-play goal just 10 seconds after Tanev’s equalizer, which gave the Kraken the lead for good.

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Blackhawks Snap Losing Streak with Gritty Win

Meanwhile, the Chicago Blackhawks are coming off a morale-boosting 2-1 overtime victory against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, which snapped a 12-game losing streak against their division rivals dating back to 2020.

Philipp Kurashev was the hero, netting the game-winner in overtime, while goaltender Petr Mrazek made 32 saves to keep Chicago in the game. Coach Luke Richardson praised Mrazek’s performance: “(Mrazek) was really dialed in and definitely the best player on both teams.”

Despite their recent win, the Blackhawks know they need to be more consistent, especially when it comes to maintaining focus for a full 60 minutes. “It has been tough for us all year to play a full 60 minutes,” Kurashev admitted. “We have to find a way to, even if the game is tied, stay in it and not let teams back in it.”

Key Matchups to Watch

1. Kraken’s Fourth Line vs. Blackhawks Defense: Seattle’s fourth line of Tanev, Gourde, and Kartye has been on fire lately. They’ll look to exploit a Chicago defense that has struggled with consistency. If the Kraken can get production from their depth players again, they’ll be hard to beat.
2. Special Teams Battle: Seattle’s power play was the difference-maker in their win over Columbus. The Blackhawks will need to stay disciplined to avoid giving the Kraken extra chances on the man advantage.
3. Petr Mrazek vs. Kraken’s Offense: Mrazek was stellar in Chicago’s recent win over Minnesota, making key saves down the stretch. He’ll need another strong performance to keep Seattle’s offense at bay, especially if the Kraken get off to a quicker start.

Can Seattle Keep the Momentum Going?

The Kraken have shown they can come from behind, but they’ll aim for a more complete performance against Chicago. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are hoping their recent win sparks a turnaround after an inconsistent start to the season.

Will the Kraken continue their winning ways, or can the Blackhawks build on their overtime victory and pull off an upset in Seattle? Thursday night’s clash promises to be an exciting showdown between two teams looking to establish momentum in the early stages of the season.