Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NHL match.
Both clubs are in the race for a wild card in the new season, but the Seattle Kraken appear to have the edge over the St. Louis Blues, thanks to several key acquisitions.
Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken were in need of an offensive defenseman who could effectively contribute to the power play, and they found that in Brandon Montour from the reigning champion Florida Panthers. Chandler Stephenson also joined the team, bringing Stanley Cup-winning experience. Most notably, the Kraken now have a coach who not only understands the playoffs but also knows what it takes to win the Stanley Cup: Dan Bylsma, who led Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to the Cup in 2009, is now in Washington state.
St. Louis Blues
The Blues find themselves in a transitional phase, caught between contending for a wild card playoff spot and slipping down the standings. The team lost standout talents Vladimir Tarasenko and Alex Pietrangelo, leaving them without prominent stars. This summer, they picked up two promising young players from the Edmonton Oilers by matching offers: left-winger Dylan Holloway and defenseman Philip Broberg. While they played secondary roles in a contender team, they are poised to make significant contributions in the St. Louis Blues.
Seattle Kraken vs St. Louis Blues Prediction
Preseason games can be unpredictable. In recent warm-up matches, the Seattle Kraken dominated the Edmonton Oilers 6:2, while the St. Louis Blues fell to the Chicago Blackhawks by the same margin. However, with their regular lineup, the Blues managed to edge out a win in overtime against the Western Conference finalist the Dallas Stars (4-3). Last season’s three head-to-head meetings favoured the Blues—2:1 in a shootout, 4:3 in overtime, and 4:1. Given this context, one might expect to bet on them, but the changes in the Seattle Kraken suggest otherwise. It’s wiser to back the hosts, at least with a zero handicap, as they are now an upgraded team.
