Tampa Bay Lightning (12-10-5) vs. Seattle Kraken (8-12-6)
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Seattle Kraken 12/9/23 – The Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Seattle Kraken on Saturday night in an inter-conference showdown. The Lightning currently sit fifth in the Atlantic division, while the Kraken occupy seventh place in a competitive Pacific division. This will be the second and final regular season meeting between these teams. Fans are eagerly searching for free daily hockey tips to gauge the potential outcomes of this compelling clash.
Nikita Kucherov has led a powerful offense for the Lightning this season, scoring 44 points from 17 goals and 27 assists. With an astounding 13.5% shooting percentage and average time on ice of 21 hours per game, Kucherov stands as an important piece to their strategy. Center Brayden Point and Defenseman Victor Hedman add depth and skill to the offensive line that will test Kraken’s defensive capabilities; their prowess on power play could prove decisive against their formidable defensive set-up.
But Seattle Kraken’s offense, though less dominant, still boasts its strengths. Vince Dunn leads with 21 points on defense alone – 4 goals and 17 assists – giving versatility to their play. Oliver Bjorkstrand boasts 7 goals with 13 assists, while Jared McCann scored 12 goals himself to provide offensive depth. Their challenge will be breaching through Lightning defense which may prove formidable at times.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs Seattle Kraken Game Info
| When: | Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:00 PM ET |
| Where: | Climate Pledge Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Jonas Johansson vs. Goaltender Philipp Grubauer
Jonas Johansson has posted mediocre numbers (3.44 GAA, .892 SV%) across 19 appearances for the Lightning. Still, he represents an upgrade over the struggling Brian Elliott. Johansson’s save percentage ranks in the league’s bottom third, indicating subpar performance compared to peer netminders so far. The Lightning will need more consistency and steadiness from the 27-year-old to get their season back on track. He mustered an .852 save rate in recent losses to Toronto and Boston, compromising Tampa’s ability to compete with elite foes. Saturday versus a middling Seattle attack may provide a prime opportunity for Johansson to right the ship.
Philipp Grubauer has failed to live up to expectations in his first season with Seattle. His 3.35 GAA and .883 save percentage are a far cry from his career norms. Grubauer will need to regain his past All-Star form to give his team a chance against Tampa’s fearsome attack. If the struggling veteran can’t sharpen up quickly, the fledgling Kraken franchise may be forced to pursue alternatives between the pipes. With the Kraken allowing the fifth-most shots per contest, they badly need stability in goal to remain competitive game to game.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game, still to be determined, will be influenced by both teams’ recent performances and head-to-head history. Bettors should closely monitor the puckline and moneyline, considering the Lightning’s recent form and the Kraken’s performance, especially in road games.
Tampa Bay Lightning Betting Trends
The Lightning have been a strong bet lately, going 4-1 both straight up and against the spread in their last five contests. Tampa Bay has struggled against the number away from home however, posting a subpar 6-7 ATS record on the road this season. The Lightning have also been a bit unpredictable in terms of the total, going over the number in just two of their previous five games.
Seattle Kraken Betting Trends
It’s been tough sledding for Seattle bettors of late, with the Kraken losing four of their last give games straight up and covering just once against the spread over that span. The Kraken have made for a profitable home underdog though, covering at an impressive 10-5 clip on home ice this season. Totals bets have also been a mixed bag when backing the Kraken lately.
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Seattle Kraken 12/9/23 Betting Picks
This matchup, featuring the more consistent Tampa Bay Lightning against the unpredictable Seattle Kraken, presents intriguing betting prospects. The Lightning, with their robust offense and decent goaltending, seem to have an edge. However, the Kraken’s ability to surprise, especially at home, cannot be underestimated.
For bettors, the Lightning might be the safer pick, considering their recent form and offensive strengths. Prop bets on individual player performances, especially from the Lightning’s top scorers, could be valuable. The over/under should be carefully evaluated, given both teams’ recent scoring trends. Relying on insights from pro handicapping experts can provide additional perspectives for this matchup.
Free Pick and Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Seattle Kraken 2