Seattle Kraken vs. Chicago Blackhawks: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 10/23/2022

Time: 2 p.m. ET

Venue: United Center, Chicago, IL

Where to watch: ROOT-NW, NBC Sports Chicago

DraftKings: Kraken -140, Blackhawks +120

FanDuel: Kraken -142, Blackhawks +118

BetMGM: Kraken -143, Blackhawks +120

Caesars: Kraken -140, Blackhawks +118

Kraken: 2-2-2

Blackhawks: 2-2-0

Kraken: won 3-2 at Avalanche

Blackhawks: won 4-3 (OT) vs. Red Wings

Good times have been had by those in Seattle and Chicago as of late with the Seattle Kraken and Chicago Blackhawks finding their way to two wins to start the year, as early as the season may be, that’s still something to be proud of. The Kraken will look to get a point in their third straight game, and the Blackhawks will try for their third straight win when the two meet at United Center on Sunday afternoon.

The Kraken have not had the best time to start the year, going winless in three home games and giving up 14 goals in that process. But they’ve been finding ways to win on the road with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings, and followed that with a 3-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night in what was really a dominant effort by Seattle. They outshot Colorado 38-20 and even had a 2-0 lead. But you knew that the Avs would fight back, and they did, but Seattle’s defense was very strong in that third period. Jaden Schwartz and Jared McCann scored 22 seconds apart in the second period, and Karson Kuhlman scored the game-winning goal in the third.

“That was an all-around good team effort,” Schwartz said. “Thought we checked them hard, took away their time and space, had some pretty good (offensive) zone time. We looked quicker and a little bit cleaner coming out of our end.”

Seattle is that weird team that should be playing better than it has with the talent it’s assembled, and maybe in time, that will come. But to get two strong road wins off the bat is a good sign. Now figure out how to do it at home, and then we’re cooking with gas.

The Blackhawks have been cooking with gas and using a flamethrower with it for the last couple of years being the dumpster fire organization that it is, but hey, Chicago has two wins in a row with a 5-2 win at San Jose and a 4-3 overtime win against the Detroit Red Wings on Friday night. Max Domi, better yet, top-line center Max Domi, scored the winner in overtime to wipe away a 3-1 deficit in the third period and eventually get the win in Chicago’s home opener.

“I think back-to-back wins, I think we've showed some good resilience,” forward Andreas Athanasiou said, who opened the scoring for Chicago with a penalty shot in the second period. “Just not giving up on it. It just kind of shows the group we have in here.”

This could be the battle of backup goalies on Sunday afternoon. Philipp Grubauer left in the third period of the win in Colorado with what looked to be a groin injury. Martin Jones will likely start, but the Kraken also recalled Joey Daccord from Coachella Valley. The Blackhawks lost Petr Mrazek due to injury on Friday, and Alex Stalock had to come in for relief. Jones didn’t see a lot of action on Friday night, but you can’t ever really trust Jones in any situation.

Stalock has looked great in the action he’s seen. With the home crowd behind him, I wonder if he can keep it going. I think he will. Blackhawks win 4-2

Kraken are 12-25 all-time after losing two of three.

Kraken are 12-30 all-time after playing a road game.

Blackhawks are 2-13 over the last three years off a home win in which they scored four goals or more.

Blackhawks are 9-18 the last three years off a home win.

Kraken:

Andre Burakovsky -- Alex Wennberg -- Oliver Bjorkstrand

Jared McCann -- Yanni Gourde -- Karson Kuhlman

Jaden Schwartz -- Matty Beniers -- Jordan Eberle

Ryan Donato -- Shane Wright -- Brandon Tanev

Vince Dunn -- Adam Larsson

Jamie Oleksiak -- Justin Schultz

Carson Soucy -- Will Borgen

Martin Jones

Blackhawks:

Andreas Athanasiou -- Max Domi -- Patrick Kane

Tyler Johnson -- Jonathan Toews -- Taylor Raddysh

Philipp Kurashev -- Jason Dickinson -- Sam Lafferty

Jujhar Khaira -- MacKenzie Entwistle -- Colin Blackwell

Jack Johnson -- Seth Jones

Jarred Tinordi -- Connor Murphy

Jake McCabe - Filip Roos

Alex Stalock

Points: Jaden Schwartz -- 5

Goals: Jaden Schwartz -- 3

Assists: Andre Burakovsky -- 3

Goalie: Martin Jones -- 2-1-1, 3.49 GAA, .875 SV%

Points: Sam Lafferty -- 5

Goals: Sam Lafferty -- 2

Assists: Sam Lafferty -- 3

Goalie: Alex Stalock -- 1-1-0, .075 GAA, .979 SV%