Canada faces off against Czechia Wednesday in the quarterfinals round of the Olympics. Puck drop from Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, is set for 10:40 a.m. ET (Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s Olympics odds around the Canada vs. Czechia odds and make our expert hockey picks and predictions.
Canada took care of Czechia 5-0 in the opener Thursday, but it was tight early on with Canada leading 1-0 after the first. The Canadians then coasted 5-1 against Switzerland Saturday before using France as a zamboni to smoothen the ice 10-2 Sunday. C Connor McDavid leads all Olympic players with 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists). C Macklin Celebrini is tied for tops in the Olympics with 4 goals. They truly haven’t been tested, but Czechia gave them their only semblance of a scare in the opener.
The Czechs outlasted Denmark 3-2 Tuesday to advance to the knockout round. C Martin Necas had his third goal in as many games and added an assist. He has had 5+ shots on goal during the 3-game stretch after having a single SOG in the opener against Canada. Superstar RW David Pastrnak has had a relatively quiet Olympics with 1 goal and 3 assists.
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 7:18 p.m. ET.
Jordan Binnington (8-17-6, 3.65 GAA, .864 SV%, 1 SO with St. Louis Blues) vs. Lukas Dostal (21-13-2, 2.92 GAA, .897 SV% with Anaheim Ducks)
The Canadians could go with Logan Thompson here, but I expect them to ride Binnington, who has stopped 38 of 40 shots fired his way in 2 starts. He stopped all 26 shots fired his way in the 5-0 win over Czechia in the opener.
Dostal stopped 24 of 26 shots fired his way Tuesday, and putting him in on back-to-back days presents a challenge. He’s their best option, though. Dostal has stopped 80 of 91 shots fired his way for an .879 SV% in 3 Olympics starts.
Canada 6, Czechia 1
There is no play here. Canada has won 3 games by a combined 20-3 score, and they’re rightfully massive favorites. If you’re looking for a prop bet, go with NATHAN MACKINNON ANYTIME GOAL (-120). He had goals in the first 2 games, including against Czechia, before recording an assist with just 2 SOG in the 10-2 blowout. Look for him to ramp it back up.
CANADA -3.5 (+115) is the way to go here. Yes, they have to win by 4+ goals, but they’ve done so in all 3 games thus far — including against Czechia.
This one is dicey, but the Czechs could run a goalie out on a back-to-back, and Canada has 5+ goals in each game. LEAN OVER 6.5 (-105).
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