The six games played in the 4 Nations Face-Off has led to what felt like an inevitable rematch between Canada and USA in the final. The way this tournament has been played, it will almost feel like a letdown when the NHL resumes its regular schedule on Saturday. The past week of hockey has been a treat for fans, and the tournament will be capped off in the best way possible. If you have any obligations on Thursday, try to get them knocked out in time to catch this game because it will be appointment viewing. Let’s get into our Canada vs USA predictions and 4 Nations Face-Off final best bets.
Team Canada vs Team USA Predictions
- Pick #1: Canada ML over USA (-108)
- Pick #2: Under 5.5 (-120)
Pick #1: Canada ML Over USA (-108)
The loss that Team USA dealt Team Canada on their home ice in front of their home crowd in Montreal really lit a fire under the Canadians. If Canada gave 100% effort last Saturday, we may see 110% effort on Thursday.
What looks to bode well for Canada on Thursday is health. It seems counterintuitive since losing Shea Theodore in the opening game of the tournament. But since the puck dropped in the USA-Canada game on Saturday, the Americans have sustained injuries to Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy. Each of those players were vital to USA getting to Thursday’s final in the first place. There are also questions around the health of Auston Matthews.
Even if all of those guys play, they do not look to be 100%. That would also mean this game would be less physical than the first, which favors Canada. Team Canada looked good on Monday against Finland and they should clean up aspects from their first game against USA. This one looks to set up better for the Canadians and they should be able to avenge last weekend’s defeat.
Pick #2: Under 5.5 (-120)
The low-scoring game between these teams on Saturday was not the most surprising outcome. With even higher stakes in the rematch, both Canada and USA can be expected to take a more conservative approach.
The US put on a defensive clinic in their win over Canada on Saturday. Although that goes for both their forward and defense cores, the defensemen were especially good. They contained and limited the scoring chances of some of the best players on the planet donning the maple leaf. For any opportunities that did get by the American defensemen, they then had to put the puck past superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The blueprint is there for Team USA to follow and try to repeat on Thursday.
As mentioned, Canada may reap several significant benefits if any combination of the Tkachuks, McAvoy and Matthews are either out or not playing healthy. One such benefit is the pure offensive talent and production that comes from those guys. USA may be having to get creative with line combinations, as well as loading up ice time on top players given less depth. That would hurt their likelihood of production and keep the game total lower.
