Nashville Predators - Seattle Kraken predictions and free betting tips [13/10/2023]

In the upcoming Friday morning face-off on the ice in Nashville, the Seattle Kraken and the Nashville Predators are set to lock horns in the Western Conference. With the Kraken showing impressive results last season, they surprisingly made it to the playoffs despite it being only their second season in the league. On the other hand, the Predators missed out on the playoffs last year, their first time in nine years.

Nashville Predators

For the first time in nine years, the Nashville Predators failed to reach the playoffs last season, prompting a series of changes to the team. The squad signed contracts with forwards Ryan O'Reilly and Gustav Nyquist to bolster their offensive potential, in addition to entering into an agreement with defenseman Luke Schenn to support goalie Juuse Saros, who is considered one of the league's finest.

Moreover, Andrew Brunette was appointed as the team's new head coach. The start of the season proved disappointing for the Predators when they were beat by the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. In this match, Saros blocked 29 shots but failed to contain the relentless attacks of the opposition, which reflected in his statistics - he has an average of 4.19 goals against, and a save percentage of .879. These figures aren't promising for the team, even though it was only one game in. On the offensive front, the Predators have room for improvement.

Despite goals from O'Reilly, Juuso Parssinen, and Tommy Novak, the team struggled to corner the opponent throughout the match. Home-ice advantage in the NHL is critical, and the Predators need to exploit it to the full. The team has a mix of seasoned veterans and young talents, and it's crucial for the experienced players to set the tone. Players like Filip Forsberg, who leads the team in goals, need to step up to the plate and help the team reach new heights in the current season.

Seattle Kraken

The Seattle Kraken are embarking on their third season with ambitions to build on last year's success and make the playoffs again. Their late surge last season caught many in the NHL off guard, but the beginning of the new season confirmed the challenges the team will face. They started with a 1:4 loss against the Stanley Cup holders, the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Kraken's offensive capabilities were limited: Jared McCann scored the only goal of the match, and the team failed to exploit their power play opportunities. Head Coach Dave Hakstol highlighted the lack of execution, especially early in the match. However, one of the bright spots from last season for the Kraken was their increased average goals per game, which helped them to reach the playoffs. But they need to work on their power play efficiency, as evidenced in their first match. The defensive players in front of goalie Philipp Grubauer, who made 24 saves, need to exert more effort to yield better results for the team.

Nashville Predators Vs Seattle Kraken Match Forecast

The Predators will be hosting their first home game, while the Kraken will be playing on the road for the second day in a row. Despite the Predators' loss in their first match, the team showed offensive potential as Ryan O'Reilly netted a goal straight away. The Kraken had questions coming into the season due to their sudden increase in goals last year. It's unclear whether this will become a new norm for the team. In the upcoming match, they'll face the Predators, who had the third-highest save percentage in the NHL last season. Seattle doesn't have the strong defence and goaltending that Nashville does, so my bet is on the hosts to win.