The Carolina Hurricanes (14-3-2) and the Seattle Kraken (9-6-1) meet Thursday in an NHL Global Series game at Veikkaus Arena in Helsinki, Finland. Puck drop is set for noon ET (NHL Network). Let's analyze NHL odds around the Hurricanes vs. Kraken odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2025-26 season series: Tied 1-1; these teams have split the regular-season series in each of the past 3 NHL seasons, and 5 of the past 7 meetings, and 7 of the past 10, have been decided by 1 goal
Carolina is coming off a 9-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks as a huge favorite (-440), and it obviously took care of the Over (6.5) on its own. The Hurricanes streak into Finland with points in 8 of the past 9 games, going 7-1-1. They're also 14-2-0 in the past 16
outings. The Over has cashed in 3 of the past 4 games, too.
Seattle lost 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers as slight underdogs (+114) at home Saturday as the Over (6.5) just came through. The Kraken has managed a 4-3-0 mark in the past 7 games, with the Over going 3-1 in the previous 4 outings.
The Canes are playing in their first International Series game since sweeping the Minnesota Wild in a pair of games Oct. 7-8, 2010, in the NHL Premiere at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki. Seattle has never appeared in an international game.
Carolina has Finnish natives F Sebastian Aho, D Juuso Valimaki and F Jesperi Kotkaniemi returning to their home country, while Seattle has F Kaapo Kakko, F Jani Nyman and D Ville Ottavainen making the trek home.
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Hurricanes vs. Kraken odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:46 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Hurricanes -285 (bet $285 to win $100) | Kraken +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Hurricanes -1.5 (-120) | Kraken +1.5 (-102)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Hurricanes vs. Kraken projected goalies
Pyotr Kochetkov (11-1-0, 1.67 GAA, .920 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Philipp Grubauer (4-3-1, 3.12 GAA, .891 SV%)
Kochetkov has been on fire to start the season, and he is the early Vezina Trophy favorite, although we have a lot of hockey left. Still, he has been nearly unbeatable to this point. His only regulation loss came in a 4-1 setback in Nahsville on Nov. 3, allowing 3 goals on 19 shots.
Grubauer came on in relief Saturday against the Rangers, allowing a goal on 16 shots. Joey Daccord was lifted after allowing 3 goals in the first 14 minutes, so Grubauer came on and gave his team a chance to win.
Hurricanes vs. Kraken picks and predictions
Prediction
Hurricanes 4, Kraken 3
Moneyline
The Hurricanes (-285) are way too overpriced, costing you nearly 3 times your potential return. That's quite expensive for a game far from home, and one with a lot of emotions for several plays on both sides.
PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
As mentioned above, when these teams get together, the games are usually tight. Let's back KRAKEN +1.5 (-105) catching the goal and a half. With 7 of the past 10 games decided by a single goal, it's a good bet we'll have a close game in Finland.
Over/Under
OVER 6.5 (-110) is the lean, but don't get too carried away. There will be emotions early, but it will settle down to be a regular hockey game once that wears off.
These teams have hit the Over frequently lately, though, and that's why we're leaning toward going high, especially with Grubauer in between the pipes.
Betting odds calculator
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Follow Daniel Dobish on X at @danieledobish. Follow SportsbookWire on X at SportsBookWire and on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Carolina Hurricanes vs. Seattle Kraken odds, picks and predictions
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