The NHL action continues with this inter-conference tilt in New Jersey on Thursday, February 9, and here you can read the best Kraken vs. Devils betting pick and odds.

New Jersey is looking for the third win in a row when they host Seattle at Prudential Center. The Devils are -157 moneyline favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at 6.5 goals. These inter-conference rivals will meet for the second time this year; the Kraken won 4-3 in overtime in Seattle a few weeks ago.

Kraken fired blanks against the Islanders

The Seattle Kraken (29-16-3-2, 30-20 ATS) were in a fantastic form of eight consecutive wins but lost five of the previous eight games, including the opening of a five-game road trip. For the second time this season, the Kraken were scoreless in a game; this time around, that happened in a 4-0 defeat to the New York Islanders. Seattle will face the Devils on Thursday and then will stay in the east to take on two more Metropolitan Division teams – the Rangers and Flyers.

The Kraken had 32 attempts at Ilya Sorokin’s goal but failed to score, while the Isles got to a 4-0 lead early in the second period and successfully maintained a comfortable distance for the remainder of the game. This season, Andre Burakovsky leads Seattle in points with 39 (G 13, A 26), followed by Jordan Eberle with 38 (G 10, A 28) and Matthew Beniers with 36 points (G 10, A 28).

Martin Jones (23-8-3) is likely going to start at the goal against the Devils on Thursday. The 33-year-old is allowing 2.86 goals per game this year with a .895 SV% and three shutouts.

LW Jaden Schwartz (undisclosed), D Justin Schultz (undisclosed), RW Joonas Donskoi (upper body), and C Matty Beniers C (upper body) are out indefinitely. RW Andre Burakovsky (lower body) is questionable to face New Jersey on Thursday.

Devils beat the Canucks in OT

The New Jersey Devils (33-13-3-1, 27-23 ATS) won nine of the last 11 games; interestingly, the past five of those victories came after overtime or a shootout. The Devils won two in a row as they defeated the Dallas Stars on the road and Vancouver Canucks 5-4 in overtime at home. New Jersey continues to impress and is now in the 3rd position in the Eastern Conference with 70 points, 13 behind the leaders Boston Bruins.

The Canucks got to an early 1-0 lead in New Jersey, but the hosts scored four straight goals, including two from Ondrej Palat in the space of just 28 seconds. The visitors managed to score the next three, tie the game and force OT, but Jesper Bratt scored a winner for the Devils. Jack Hughes had another excellent showing as he scored a pair of goals and added an assist. Dougie Hamilton impressed with three dishes. So far this year, Jack Hughes is the Devils’ first star with 67 points (G 35, A 32); Jesper Bratt has 51 (G 20, A 31) and Dougie Hamilton contributes 49 (G 13, A 36).

Vitek Vanecek (22-5-2) is expected to start in the cage for the Devils against Seattle on Thursday. The 27-year-old is conceding 2.34 goals per contest this season along with a .916 SV% and two shutouts.

G Jonathan Bernier (hip) and D John Marino (upper body) are out indefinitely and will not feature against the Kraken on Thursday.

Trends:

Seattle:

  • 1-4 in the last five vs. a team with a winning record

New Jersey:

  • 9-2 in the last 11 overall
  • 4-0 in the last four home games
  • 13-3 in the last 16 vs. Pacific Division rivals
  • 9-3 in the last 12 after scoring five goals or more in their previous game

Seattle Kraken vs. New Jersey Devils Pick

Both teams have similar offenses, which are currently among the top 10 in the NHL. Seattle is scoring 3.54 goals per game, while New Jersey averages 3.50 gpg. The Devils have an advantage when it comes to defense, though, as they have a top-10 defense that allows 2.68 goals per contest opposite the Kraken’s 3.06 gpg. After losing eight straight at home, the Devils are now on a four-game winning run at Prudential Center. Seattle, on the other hand, was on a seven-game winning run on the road but lost the previous two. The visitors will be without Beniers and possibly Burakovsky, which is going to be a problem on offense for them, so I am going with the Devils to get an edge here.

Pick: Take the Devils to win (-157)

The Total

Although both sides have efficient offenses, I don’t think we will have more than six goals in this one. Seattle is struggling offensively of late, the Kraken failed to score more than three goals in six of the last eight games. It’s not going to be easy against red-hot Vanecek and strong defensive teams such as the Devils. Under is 8-3-2 in the Kraken’s last 13 after scoring two goals or less in their previous game; Under is 9-1-1 in Seattle’s previous 11 vs. Metropolitan Division rivals, while Under is 3-1-1 in the Kraken’s last five following a loss of three or more goals.

Pick: Go Under 6.5 goals (-110)