Offensive spectacle between Canada and USA?
Canada and USA have made a successful start to the ice hockey tournament at the Winter Olympics in Beijing. While the Canadian national ice hockey team mastered the group opener against Germany with 5:1, “Team USA” prevailed in the compulsory task against Olympic host China with 8:0.
Now the two neighbours will meet on the second matchday of the 2022 Olympics. According to the oddsmakers, the Canucks have the edge. After all, there are betting odds of 1.73 on Canada vs. USA Ice Hockey for a bet on the reigning world champions from Canada.
The last time the two nations met in the 2021 World Cup, the Canadians won 4-2. At that time, however, both teams played with their best line-up and were able to call on numerous NHL stars, which is not possible at the 2022 Olympics – due to the NHL decision.
Nonetheless, both nations are among the narrow circle of title favourites even without NHL stars. Especially the Canadians, who as world champions have already ensured a clear balance of power against the German national hockey team.
Canada – Statistics & current form
Canada has won the gold medal at the Winter Olympics nine times so far. The last time was in 2014, when the Canadians were able to defend their gold medal at an Olympic tournament for the first time since 1952. For that, the IIHF’s world number one lagged behind the high expectations at the 2018 Olympics.
After all, Canada was eliminated by the German national ice hockey team in the semi-finals at the last Winter Olympics. Team Canada was able to take revenge for this in the group opener during the week, where they won a clear victory (5:1) against Germany even without NHL stars.
Although Canada played four times shorthanded during the game, the reigning world champions did not concede a goal after a power play by the German national hockey team. In return, “Team Canada” scored on one of two power plays against Germany, with even “oldie” Eric Staal recording a scoring point.
Canada with realistic chances for the gold medal
Eric Staal was already part of the 2010 Olympic squad and won the gold medal with “Team Canada” – as an NHL player, mind you. There are also numerous young players in the Canadian ranks, including Mason McTavish and Owen Power, who as 19-year-olds are taking part in the prestigious ice hockey tournament in Beijing for the first time.
Some youngsters, such as Noreau, O’Dell and Robinson, were already part of the Olympic squad in South Korea 2018 and won the bronze medal with Canada then. If the mix of experienced and young players also manages a win on matchday two against the United States, Canada vs USA Ice Hockey will pay out passable odds for tip 1.
USA – Statistics & current form
Despite the absence of NHL stars in the US Olympic squad, “Team USA” put on a power show in their group opener against China, taking an 8-0 win. The USA scored four of the eight goals in the final phase. It is quite possible that the next offensive spectacle will follow against the Canadian national hockey team.
In the match against China, college player Sean Farrell was undoubtedly the “MVP” of the game. After all, the 20-year-old caused a sensation with five scorer points in the group match against Olympic host China. Incidentally, only one other player in US Olympic history has scored five points.
Drew Commesso also delivered a strong performance. The US goalkeeper successfully blocked all 29 shots of the Chinese national hockey team, which is participating in the Olympic tournament with the KHL club HC Kunlun Redstar.
Are the US Americans successful in their World Cup revenge?
At the 2021 World Cup, Canada eliminated the US from the semi-finals. Now the unpredictable “Team USA” has a chance for revenge. If they manage to beat the reigning world champions for the first time since May 2021, Canada vs. USA ice hockey betting odds of 4.00 will be paid out for a prediction on “Team USA”.
Because the match against China, who are taking part in the Winter Olympics as an ice hockey team for the first time anyway, has hardly any significance, bets on the USA in the match against Canada will be associated with a lot of risk. There is enough offensive power to master the group game against the Canadians.
Nevertheless, it is probably obvious to consider betting on the goal market. Especially since Canada also provided an offensive spectacle on the first day of play.
Canada – USA Direct Comparison / H2H Balance
In the last 76 international matches between the two hockey nations, there have been 59 wins for Canada, 14 wins for the USA and a total of three draws. On average, just under 6.50 goals per game have been scored in the 76 international matches. It is quite possible that a prediction of more than 5.5 goals per game will also come true this time in Canada vs USA ice hockey.
The two nations – with NHL stars, mind you – met twice at the 2021 World Cup. In the group stage, “Team USA” beat its neighbour 5:1. In the semi-finals of the 2021 World Cup, however, the Canadians lost 4-2.
Canada – USA Tip
The US Americans are in first place in the top-flight Group A with the better goal difference over the Canadians after their landslide win over China. Because “Team USA” met China, the big underdog in the group, the latest result of the US-Americans should not be overrated.
Canada’s victory was commendable. They beat the German national hockey team 5-1, in which the reigning world champions made a good impression even without any stars from the NHL. If they can build on that, a win against the USA is also a distinct possibility.
We expect an attacking match between the two neighbours in which it is probably only a matter of time before the six-goal mark is broken. In the 2021 World Cup, bets on over 5.5 goals paid off in the two group matches between the two nations.
