by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Apr 18, 2022
Time: 10 p.m. ET
Venue: Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
Where to watch: ROOT-NW, TSN5, RDS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Kraken -115, Senators -105
BetMGM: Kraken -125, Senators -105
Caesars: Kraken -120, Senators -100
Season record
Senators: 28-40-7
Kraken: 24-44-6
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Senators - Kraken preview and analysis
The Matty Beniers era is off to a roaring start in Seattle, and he’s been as released as the Kraken. What a time to start, I would say.
Beniers and the Kraken will try to keep the winning ways going on Monday when they host the Ottawa Senators with both teams coming off an extra-time effort in their last respective matchups.
Seattle defeated the New Jersey Devils 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday, with the day belonging to the No. 2 overall pick in this past summer’s NHL Draft after he scored his first career goal on the power play. The former Michigan product is currently sitting at a point-per-game pace after picking up an assist in his NHL debut against Calgary.
"I thought he played a solid hockey game," Seattle coach Dave Hakstol said. "He played a good solid hockey game, and he and his linemates made some solid plays. … He controls the puck in all three zones. As a center, he does a very good job being in the right spots to receive the puck and make the next play. The creativity is there and as his confidence grows, we'll see more and more."
Jared McCann picked up two assists, as the Kraken continue to look for other ways to pick up steam to close this season. It’s been a rough go for the league’s newest team, not picking up the tab that the Vegas Golden Knights left behind in their first season.
But with Beniers in the fold, the Kraken are at least playing for the future, and it’s bright with that young man leading the fold. He’s already shown great work with his stick, and he has a knack for getting to the net and finishing things home.
And if you’re the Kraken, you have to feel good heading into this matchup with Ottawa for another potential victory. The Senators are coming off a 5-4 loss against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday in what was a valiant effort against one of the league’s best teams.
Tim Stutzle, another exciting young player in this league, extended his point streak to eight games with a goal in the first period, and Anton Forsberg played well with 36 saves, but noth enough resistance defensively to keep the Maple Leafs away from the net.
"He continues to get better," Senators coach D.J. Smith said of Stutzle. "He's playing against the league's best and he's not backing down. Again, he might have been the best player out there, he's one of them. There's certainly some high- end players over there, but [he's] really coming."
Prediction
I think the Kraken have more to play for in terms of getting ready for next season, and every game down the stretch will play a huge factor in how that’s going to alter their strategy for next year. Seattle hasn’t had a guy to bring that kind of excitement this season, and one can only imagine what he’ll do for the future. Kraken win 4-3
Betting trends
Senators are 36-65 following a division game the past three years.
Senators are 30-61 the past three seasons after an over, and 8-21 this season.
Kraken are 7-19 this season following consecutive overs.
Kraken are 10-20 following a non-conference game this season.
Projected lines
Senators:
Brady Tkachuk -- Josh Norris -- Connor Brown
Alex Formenton -- Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
Chris Tierney -- Colin White -- Adam Gaudette
Parker Kelly -- Dylan Gambrell -- Austin Watson
Erik Brannstrom -- Artem Zub
Michael Del Zotto -- Travis Hamonic
Nick Holden -- Nikita Zaitsev
Anton Forsberg
Brady Tkachuk -- Josh Norris -- Connor Brown
Alex Formenton -- Tim Stutzle -- Drake Batherson
Chris Tierney -- Colin White -- Adam Gaudette
Parker Kelly -- Dylan Gambrell -- Austin Watson
Erik Brannstrom -- Artem Zub
Michael Del Zotto -- Travis Hamonic
Nick Holden -- Nikita Zaitsev
Anton Forsberg
Kraken:
Ryan Donato -- Matty Beniers -- Jordan Eberle
Riley Sheahan -- Morgan Geekie -- Daniel Sprong
Jared McCann -- Yanni Gourde -- Kole Lind
Victor Rask -- Alex Wennberg -- Karson Kuhlman
Adam Larsson -- Vince Dunn
Haydn Fleury -- Carson Soucy
Jamie Oleksiak - Will Borgen
Philipp Grubauer
Ryan Donato -- Matty Beniers -- Jordan Eberle
Riley Sheahan -- Morgan Geekie -- Daniel Sprong
Jared McCann -- Yanni Gourde -- Kole Lind
Victor Rask -- Alex Wennberg -- Karson Kuhlman
Adam Larsson -- Vince Dunn
Haydn Fleury -- Carson Soucy
Jamie Oleksiak - Will Borgen
Philipp Grubauer
Statistical leaders
Senators:
Points: Brady Tkachuk -- 59
Goals: Josh Norris -- 33
Assists: Brady Tkachuk -- 32
Goalie: Anton Forsberg -- 19-16-4, 2.78 GAA, .917 SV%
Kraken:
Points: Jared McCann -- 43
Goals: Jared McCann -- 25
Assists: Yanni Gourde -- 26
Goalie: Philipp Grubauer -- 17-29-5, 3.11 GAA, .891 SV%
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
