The 2021-22 NHL season kicks off Tuesday night with two intriguing NHL betting matchups, highlighted by the Kraken vs Golden Knights. It’s expansion vs expansion, as the newly formed Seattle Kraken takes a trip to Sin City to face a Vegas Golden Knights team who was in their very position just four short seasons ago.
In those four years, the Golden Knights have found incredible and unexpected success. The franchise has yet to miss the playoffs, has two division championships and, of course, their unforgettable conference championship in their very first year. The Kraken have an Everest-sized mountain to climb if they hope to match even a fraction of the success of the last expansion franchise. What better first step than getting to take them on in their own barn to open the season?
The following Kraken vs Golden Knights NHL betting preview will give you the current odds, betting trends and picks for the opening night matchup, along with a stream link to watch games all season long.
Kraken vs Golden Knights Opening Night NHL Betting Preview and Stream
NHL Regular Season — Opening Night
Seattle Kraken (0-0, 0-0 Away) vs. Vegas Golden Knights (0-0, 0-0 Home)
Date: Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Time: 10:00 p.m. EST
Venue: T-Mobile Arena — Paradise, NV
Coverage: Click here for the stream
From an NHL betting standpoint, it can feel like there is a lot of uncertainty and many unknowns as you look at this Kraken vs Golden Knights game. The obvious is on the Seattle side of the puck. How will this team play together? Will the moment and added pressure of playing against the last expansion franchise be too big for some of the young Kraken players? How much depth does this roster have, and which version of Philipp Grubauer are we going to see? All these, and many more are fair questions, are reasons to be hesitant to put any money on the Kraken in any way shape or form tonight.
In reality, the more burning questions should be coming from the Vegas side. Will they be affected at all by who their opponent is tonight? Will the desire to crush the “little brother” figure come into play so much so that it is a detriment? You also cannot forget how the Golden Knights season ended just a few months ago. Embarrassed at the hands of the Montreal Canadiens. Unable to generate any type of offense. Benching their Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender with the season on the line. How will fans react to Robin Lehner and head coach Peter DeBoer after everything that has transpired in the offseason, including shipping Marc-Andre Fleury to Chicago for nothing in return?
There is a ton at play on opening night for both franchises. Both teams will desperately want this win for different reasons. Despite all that may be wrong within the Golden Knights organization right now, I just can’t find a spot in this game where Seattle has an edge. There is just no way you should be going against Vegas in this spot.
Kraken vs Golden Knights Odds & Spread
NHL Betting odds for Kraken vs Golden Knights are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: SEA: (+200) | VGK: (-250)
Spread: SEA: +1.5 (-115) | VGK: -1.5 (-105)
Total: 5.5 — Over: (+105) | Under: (-130)
Public (Spread) Betting via Action Network: SEA: (33%) | VGK: (67%)
Odds to Win Stanley Cup: SEA: (+5000) | VGK: (+750)
Kraken vs Golden Knights NHL Betting Trends
– Seattle was 4-2 this pre-season.
– Seattle had a goal differential of -1 in six games this pre-season.
– Vegas was 26-30 ATS last season.
– The Over was 28-26-2 for the Golden Knights last season.
Kraken vs Golden Knights vs Stats
– Seattle averaged 2.66 goals per game (GPG) in pre-season.
– Seattle surrendered 2.83 GPG in pre-season.
– Vegas averaged 3.39 GPG last season (No. 3 in the NHL).
– Vegas surrendered 2.18 GPG last season (No. 1 in the NHL).
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Kraken vs Golden Knights Prediction
The Golden Knights are heavy public NHL betting favorites for a reason. Philipp Grubauer has to have the game of his life in order for Seattle to stay in this one. Robin Lehner usually responds in a big way after taking criticism, and the Vegas home crowd is always tough to contend with. Though I’m not expecting a blow out, it should be all Vegas in this one.
Kraken vs Golden Knights Picks
Golden Knights -1.5 (-105) / ML (-250)
