For the first time in almost a decade, some of the best hockey players in the world will compete in international competition when the 4 Nations Face-Off begins on Wednesday.
The primary question on the mind of hockey fans — and bettors — is simple: Which country will prevail in this short, intense tournament? (Two secondary questions: How will fans in Montreal react to the U.S. national anthem when the American squad plays Canada on Saturday night? And how will the potentially heightened atmosphere affect the players on the ice?)
At the BetMGM online sportsbook, Canada stands as the +145 favourite to win the 4 Nations. Across the four rosters, the Canadian team is widely perceived to have an edge both in offensive firepower and, shall we say, saltiness.
In terms of offence, how does a potential first-line comprised entirely of Hart Trophy winners sound? Is that something that would interest you? Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid would form one of the most accomplished trios to compete at the international level. McDavid is listed as the +250 favourite to score the most points for Canada.
Canada: Top points scorer
This threesome is backed not only by a skilled collection of goal scorers — Mitch Marner and Sam Reinhart among them — but by a combative (some might say belligerent) supporting cast that includes Brad Marchand, Seth Jarvis and Mark Stone.
If Canada has a relative weakness, it can be found in net. You won’t see Jordan Binnington, Adin Hill or Samuel Montembeault listed among the league’s elite goalies. Limiting shots on goal may be key to Canada’s tournament success.
Team USA is the +150 second choice in 4 Nations odds at BetMGM to win the tournament. Oddsmakers see a Canada-U.S. final as the most likely outcome, in part because only the U.S. squad comes close to matching Canada in offensive talent. Indeed, Auston Matthews is listed as the +800 favourite at BetMGM to emerge as the tournament’s top goal scorer. McDavid, Reinhart and MacKinnon are tied as the +1100 second choice.
Should they advance, Team USA will get the benefit of home-ice advantage in the tournament final, which will be played in Boston on Feb. 20.
The other two nations face longer odds in pursuit of victory.
Led by veteran defencemen Erik Karlsson and Victor Hedman, Sweden is listed as the +425 third choice at BetMGM. Their glaring weakness? Goal scoring. William Nylander has 33 goals in 55 NHL games this season but the Swedes just don’t measure up in terms of offensive depth.
Finland, meanwhile, stands at a +1000 longshot to win the 4 Nations. As always, the Finns will roster a skilled, hard-working corps of forwards, but their blueline talent is by far the most suspect among the four teams. And none of their netminders is playing at an elite level this season.
Then again, there are only seven games in the entire 4 Nations. The tournament’s motto might as well be: Anything can happen! Those with a hunch about the Finns could, for instance, wager on them (+190 at BetMGM) to tally more round-robin team points than the Swedes.
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