The defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche were upset in Game 1 of the opening round of the 2023 NHL Playoffs, handing the Seattle Kraken their first franchise postseason win.
The Avs will look to even up the series and avoid going back to Seattle down 0-2.
Can Colorado get back on track? Let’s find out what the oddsmakers thinks.
Kraken vs. Avalanche odds, puck line, and total
Kraken vs. Avalanche prediction and pick
The Kraken may have won 3-1, but the analytics show that the Avalanche actually outplayed Seattle in the opening game.
The Avs won the expected goals battle at 3.53-2.46, but of course the only thing that matters is actual goals. Still, we can use this information to try to predict how Game 2 in Colorado will go down.
I bet the UNDER in the first game, and while it cashed, I’m not as confident in taking the same bet in Game 2. The Kraken’s defense, despite only allowing one goal, had an expected goals against of 3.52.
Philipp Grubauer won the game for them, stopping 34-of-35 shots, but I wouldn’t bank on him continuing to play that well throughout the series. He had a save percentage of just .895 this season, one of the worst amongst starting goalies in the NHL.
I think the defending champs will win big in Game 2 and even the series at 1-1.
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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.