Kraken vs Avalanche Prediction, Odds & Best Bet for NHL Playoffs Game 5 (Goaltenders Shine in Mile High City)

The 2022-23 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs continue on Wednesday, April 26. One of two matchups on the night features the Seattle Kraken and Colorado Avalanche colliding in Game 5 of their series out West.

Kraken vs Avalanche Game 5 Info

• Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: Ball Arena -- Denver, Colorado
• Coverage: ESPN

The two teams were involved in another close-fought affair in Game 4, resulting in a 3-2 overtime win for the Kraken. Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson's tripping penalty in OT wound up being costly as it opened the door for Seattle's Jordan Eberle to score the game-winning goal just three minutes into the extra frame.

Kraken vs Avalanche Odds & Spread

• All NHL betting lines, odds and prop bets are from FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Moneyline: SEA: (+168) | COL: (-205)
• Spread: SEA: +1.5 (-146) | COL: -1.5 (+122)
• Total: 5.5 -- Over: (-140) | Under: (+114)

The Avalanche enter this contest as home favorites on the moneyline and spread per FanDuel Sportsbook's odds. This 9:30 p.m. ET clash also features an over/under of 5.5 goals with the over being favored at -140 odds. 

Kraken vs Avalanche Betting Trends

• Seattle is 2-4 straight up in its last six games.
• Colorado is 9-3 straight up in its last 12 games played in April.
• The total has hit the under in six of Seattle's last seven games.
• The total has hit the under in seven of Colorado's last eight games against Seattle.

Kraken vs Avalanche Prediction & Pick

Although Game 4 was only decided by one goal, the Kraken clearly outplayed the Avalanche in multiple areas. They had nearly twice as many shots (43-22) while playing more physically (52 hits to 37) and getting the upper hand in the faceoff circle (37-29). Seattle also converted twice on five power-play chances, whereas Colorado went 1-of-3 on the man advantage.

Having said that, I see the Avalanche regaining control of the series Wednesday. Returning to Ball Arena, where they're 7-4 straight up in their last 11 playoff game, gives them an edge. As does the fact that they have a 60.3% winning percentage as the favorite this season, whereas Seattle has won just 38.8% of its outings as the underdog.

The defending Stanley Cup Champions have already been to the top of the mountain and know how to handful adversity. Expect a bounce-back performance from the Avalanche.

Final Score Prediction: Avalanche: 3 | Kraken: 1

Kraken vs Avalanche Best Bet

Even though the over on the 5.5-goal total is favored, I'm siding with the under as the best bet. After all, the Kraken and Avalanche have combined for five or fewer goals three times in this series. All but one of the last eight Seattle-Colorado matchups have finished below the Game 5 projected total, averaging 5.1 goals over that span.

Erring on the side of history, going with the under is the right call.

Bet: Kraken +1.5 (-142)

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.