Good Morning EVERYONE!
It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year! I am a little disappointed there are only three games to start the season tonight, and three mediocre games if I am being honest. We had a great opening Global Series hitting the Devils both days and netting some extra units on the first team total and a Nico Hischier goal. Tonight will be very slim with the slate we have but will pick up tomorrow with five games, and then Thursday is our first real slate day!
I owe you all greatly after the end of last season. Content will be out for those who like to read the breakdowns. For the first few days I will touch on each team in the matchup breakdown and what to expect this year from each.
St. Louis vs. Seattle:
St. Lous had a quiet offseason in the sense that they should not be an improved team. The Blues surprise moves came in making offers to restricted free agents Dylan Holloway and Phillip Broberg which Edmonton did not match, and rightfully so. Neither Broberg or Holloway should make any significant improvements to their roster. They also lost Torey Krug for the season to an injury. Seattle on the other hand comes in revamped and ready to get back to the playoffs. Dan Bylsma will be behind the bench this year after a regression season under Dave Hakstoll last year. The biggest name to keep an eye on for the Kraken is Shane Wright. His time has finally come and I expect this kid to make a major impact for them. Wright was projected to be the first overall pick in 2022 but fell to the Kraken at four. Wright is only 20 years old and has a bright future ahead of him. Brandon Montour boosts the backend for the Kraken this year after winning the cup with the Panthers last season. Their success will also depend heavily on a Matty Beniers rebound season. Beniers was the number two overall pick in 2021 behind Owen Power. Wright’s call up full time should help boost Beniers production in terms of leadership and expectation. Seattle addedd Chandler Stephenson in the offseason giving them Beniers, Stephenson, and Wright down the middle for their top 3 lines. I expect Wright to lead the second line at some point in the season and the Kraken’s top two lines to get them back into the playoffs this year.
For tonight, Seattle should take this one. The only edge I give St. Louis in this matchup is the defensive depth but it shouldn’t matter for tonight’s game. Jordan Binnington is a risk to lose his temper tonight if Seattle gets to him early and exit the game. I expect this game to be a 3-1 / 4-1 / 4-2 win for Seattle.
Official Plays:
- 4:30 Seattle ML -150: 2u
- 4:30 Seattle Team Total over 3 -155: 2u
- 4:30 Shane Wright (SEA) Anytime Goal +290: .5u
- 7 pm Boston Team Total over 2.5 -115: 2u
