Seattle Kraken vs New York Islanders: A High-Scoring Battle of Offense and Defense

Introduction

The Seattle Kraken and the New York Islanders are set to face each other for the second time this season. The Kraken emerged victorious in their first encounter, winning 4-3 in a shootout. In this preview, we will analyze the key points and statistics of both teams to provide insights into their performance and potential outcomes.

Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken currently sit in 6th place in the Pacific Division with a record of 21-20-10. They are on a 2-game losing streak and have struggled to find consistency throughout the season. The Kraken have a mediocre away record of 10-12-6 and have only won 3 out of their last 10 games.

Offense

Seattle's offense has been lackluster this season, ranking towards the bottom in goals per game, shots on goal per game, and shoot percentage. However, their power play has been relatively effective, converting 21.3% of the time. Oliver Bjorkstrand, Jared McCann, and Vince Dunn have been the leading scorers for the Kraken, with McCann leading the team in goals and Bjorkstrand leading in assists.

Defense

On the defensive end, the Kraken have performed better, ranking 11th in the league for both goals and shots on goal allowed per game. They also have a disciplined approach, averaging only 8 minutes per game in the penalty box.

Goaltending

Philipp Grubauer is expected to start in net for the Kraken. Although he hasn't had the best season with a 5-9-1 record, a 3.25 GAA, and a .884 save percentage, the team will rely on him to keep the Islanders' offense at bay.

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders currently hold the 4th place in the Metro Division and are 4 points away from a Wild Card spot. They have had an inconsistent season, with a record of 22-18-12. The Islanders are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Flames but showed promise in their recent win against the Leafs.

Offense

Mat Barzal has been a standout player for the Islanders, leading the team in assists and total points. He has been in excellent form after the All-Star break, with 40 assists and 55 points. Barzal and Bo Horvat have formed a dangerous partnership and have been instrumental in the team's offensive success.

Defense

The return of Pelech and Pulock has greatly improved the struggling Islanders defense. Noah Dobson has been exceptional this season, contributing 47 assists and 54 points.

Goaltending

Ilya Sorokin is expected to start in goal for the Islanders. He has had an unpredictable season so far, with a 16-12-9 record, a 3.10 GAA, and a .910 save percentage. Sorokin will need to step up his performance and provide solid goaltending to secure a win for the Islanders.

Prediction and Picks

Based on the statistics and recent performances of both teams, we predict a high-scoring game between the Seattle Kraken and the New York Islanders. Both teams have leaky defenses and potent offenses, which should result in a back-and-forth battle. With the line set at 5.5 goals, we recommend betting on the game total going over. Tune in to the game to witness an exciting display of skill and firepower from both teams.

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