Tip: Seattle Kraken host the B2B team Columbus Blue Jackets!

The NHL season has been full of surprises early on, and I can’t say I’ve been on fire lately. Still, sometimes you just have to accept the variance and keep looking for good spots — and I believe I’ve found one ahead of tonight’s matchup between the Seattle Kraken and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Illness in the team

Ahead of last night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, there were reports that a cold or flu had spread through the Blue Jackets locker room. Sean Monahan, Mathieu Olivier, Miles Wood, and Cole Sillinger all missed practice. However, both Monahan and Olivier were able to suit up when the game began.

The Blue Jackets looked to be on their way to a solid win, but Edmonton eventually managed to tie the game 4–4 late in the third period — through Jake Walman on the penalty kill. It was a perfect example of a recurring issue for Columbus: carelessness and inexperience in key moments. This time it cost them dearly as the Oilers went on to win in overtime.

Even though the absences weren’t as bad as expected, the game turned into a tough, physical one, especially as the Oilers pushed hard in the final period. With some illness in the roster, a game in their legs, and travel to Seattle right after, this could easily take a toll against a Kraken team that thrives on grinding opponents down.

Seattle Kraken showing resilience

Few teams in the NHL look as unglamorous on paper as the Seattle Kraken — it’s basically four third lines rolling. But that has proven to be a successful formula before, and while this year’s roster doesn’t scare many opponents, they’ve shown they can still win games. After 15 games played, they sit at 18 points and hold sixth place in the conference. The standings are tight, but the Kraken have displayed great resilience and the ability to grind out results.

As in previous seasons, the offensive production is spread evenly across all lines — the team’s biggest strength. There’s always some offensive threat on the ice, even though they lack that true superstar who can decide close games single-handedly. Young centers Matty Beniers and Shane Wright have both shown signs of progress this season, and with veterans like Jordan Eberle, Chandler Stephenson, and Jaden Schwartz providing support, Seattle can be a very tough team to play against.

In this particular matchup, I think that balance could be the key. With Columbus coming in on a back-to-back, battling minor illness issues, and having emptied the tank against Edmonton, they might struggle to keep up with a Kraken team that will keep rolling their lines and applying pressure throughout the game.

Conclusion and betting pick

Seattle might not be the most impressive team in the league, but they know exactly how to play to their strengths and win hockey games. I believe those very strengths — balanced scoring and relentless work ethic — will make the difference tonight, as a tired and slightly weakened Blue Jackets side tries to hang on in their second straight road game.

Betting pick: Seattle Kraken FT @ +130 (FanDuel)