Seattle Kraken vs Boston Bruins Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Bruins Look to Shake Off Ugly Loss Against Kraken

The Boston Bruins (15-12-3) are eager to regroup as they visit the Seattle Kraken (14-9-4) on Thursday, following an embarrassing 8-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Boston, under interim coach Joe Sacco, has shown improvement with a 7-3-0 record since his takeover, but their inconsistency, including seven losses by three or more goals this season, remains a concern.

Bruins Struggle to Find Consistency

The Bruins entered their game against Winnipeg riding a four-game winning streak but were thoroughly outclassed by the Jets. Boston captain Brad Marchand voiced concerns about the team’s lackluster preparation:
“This was coming. Our practices have been sloppy, our execution has been off there, and it bleeds into games. The way you practice is how you play.”

David Pastrnak, who leads the Bruins with 28 points, scored Boston’s lone goal midway through the second period to cut the deficit to 3-1. However, a disastrous third period saw the Jets score five unanswered goals. Goalie Jeremy Swayman struggled, allowing eight goals on 35 shots.

Sacco acknowledged the team’s issues but remained optimistic about bouncing back:
“There’s things that we need to address and correct, and we will.”

Boston must tighten its defensive coverage and rediscover the momentum that carried them through their recent winning streak. Pastrnak and Marchand, the team’s top goal scorers, will be pivotal in leading the response.

Kraken Push for Consistency at Home

The Kraken return to Climate Pledge Arena following a 2-1 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. Despite a solid effort, Seattle couldn’t capitalize on late breakaway chances in overtime. Chandler Stephenson scored the Kraken’s only goal on a first-period breakaway, while Joey Daccord delivered an outstanding performance with 32 saves.

Jared McCann, who notched his 100th assist for the Kraken in the game, is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury after missing practice on Wednesday. His availability could impact Seattle’s ability to generate offense against Boston’s defense.

Stephenson reflected on the team’s performance:
“We’ll take the point. Obviously, it would have been nice (to win), but at the same time, we still did some good things.”

The Kraken’s defensive efforts and goaltending have been reliable, but they’ll need more offensive contributions to challenge Boston effectively.

Keys to the Game

Boston Bruins:

• Defensive Discipline: Address the lapses that led to Winnipeg’s scoring surge and tighten coverage in front of the net.
• Momentum Building: Regain confidence early and sustain effort throughout the game.
• Goalie Bounce-Back: Jeremy Swayman needs a strong performance to stabilize the team.

Seattle Kraken:

• Finish Opportunities: Convert on chances, particularly on breakaways and in overtime.
• Secondary Scoring: With McCann potentially out, other forwards must step up to support the offense.
• Maintain Defensive Structure: Continue strong goaltending and limit Boston’s high-danger scoring chances.

Historical Context

The Bruins and Kraken have faced off sparingly since Seattle entered the NHL as an expansion team. Boston’s firepower will test Seattle’s defensive structure, while the Kraken’s opportunistic style could exploit the Bruins’ inconsistencies.

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Final Outlook

The Bruins are motivated to rebound after their worst loss of the season, while the Kraken aim to build momentum at home. This matchup features contrasting styles: Boston’s veteran-led offense versus Seattle’s disciplined, defense-first approach. Both teams will look to use this game to right the ship and find consistency.