Finland v Canada
Finland starts their journey in the World Championship group with one of the hardest team to beat. Canada has gathered a young and promising line up to the tournament. Canada lost John Tavares to an injury right before the start of the competition, which leaves a big hole in to the attacking strenght. Finland barely has any help from North America since only 4 players were selected to the team. Bookers are expecting a low scoring match and obviously Canada is a huge favorite in this game (1.54 odds). Canada has played only one game before todays match winning Austria 6-7 meanwhile Finland has played 9 games winning 7 of them. In 6 games of 9 there were only 4 goals or less scored. Games that went 5 goals or over were against Sweden (5-4), Norway (7-0) and Czech Republic (3-2). Under 4,5 goals gives odds of 2.10 on the site I'm playing and the bet wins if there's 4 goals or less scored.
PICK: Under 4,5 goals (2.10)
Russia v Norway
In the second early game of the day Russia takes on Norway. Russia has insanely strong team with individuals like Ovechkin, Kucherov, Gusev, Kovalchuk, Malkin etc. Norway is missing their biggest star Mats Zuccarello. Odds for this games are challenging cause Russia is no doubt a huge favorite ( odds for win 1.06). Even Russia to win by four gives only 1.44. Best odds come from either picking the goal scorers and point scorers from Team Russia, or picking Norway to score no goals. Last games before World Championships Yevgeni Malkin has played along side Nikita Kucherov on the first line. Malkin has a good chance to score atleast two points in this first game with good odds.
PICK: Yevgeni Malkin 2 or more points (2.30), Norway under 0,5 goals (2.65)
Czech Republic v Sweden
Sweden brings a team full of NHL stars to the tournament having the players like Henrik Lundquist, William Nylander, Elias Petterson and Oliver Ekman-Larson on their squad. Czech Republik has also couple of NHL stars including Jakub Voracek , Jakub Vrana and Ondrej Palat but will be missing their goal scoring machine David Pastrnak due to NHL playoffs. Both teams have plenty of games under their belt before the first day of Championship hockey. Czech team has played 9 games winning 7 of them, while Sweden has played 11 games winning 9 of them. These teams faced just 6 days ago and Czech Republic won the game 3-0 scoring the last two goals in to empty net. I'm thinking this to be a low scoring match once again and will go for under 4,5 goals in this one.
PICK: Under 4,5 goals (2.35)
USA v Slovakia
Last game of the day is match between USA and the host country Slovakia. Slovakia has only couple players from North American leagues on their squad, meanwhile USA is bringing stars like Patrick Kane, Jack Hughes, Jack Eichel, Johnny Gaudreau etc. USA has only played one game before this winning Germany 2-5 Gaudreau scoring 2 points and Alex DeBrincat scoring 3 points. Slovakia has played 11 games losing 6 of them. Wins came over Norway (3-2 OT), Great Brittain (6-1) and Austria twice (1-2 OT, 1-5). There should be no question about the winner of this match. Best odds will most likely come from point scorers or picking Slovakia to score 1 goal or less. Johnny Gaudreau scored two points in the last game before the Championships. Patrick Kane was left scoreless, but has potential of scoring atleast two points.
PICK: Slovakia under 1,5 goals (1.92), Patrick Kane scores 2 points or more (2.25), Johnny Gaudreau scores 2 points or more (2.55)
