Canada faces off against Finland Friday in an Olympic men’s hockey semifinal game. Puck drop from Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Italy, is set for 10:40 a.m. ET (USA Network / Peacock). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s Olympics odds around the Canada vs. Finland odds and make our expert hockey picks and predictions.
Canada suffered a big blow when C Sidney Crosby exited Wednesday’s 4-3 overtime win against Czechia. His right knee bent as he fell over on a hit. He didn’t practice with the team Thursday, and his status is up in the air. But it’s unlikely he plays. Canada was down 3-2 late in the third period before C Nick Suzuki redirected a shot from the point into the back of the net. RW Mitch Marner sent them to the next round with a backhand goal 1:22 into the extra session.
Finland also prevailed in overtime Wednesday, 3-2 against Switzerland. C Sebastian Aho scored his third goal of the Olympics, and D Miro Heiskanen added a goal and an assist. LW Arturi Lehkonen sent them into the next round with an OT winner. He leads the Fins with 5 points with 2 goals and 3 assists.
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at Thursday at 9:31 p.m. ET.
Jordan Binnington (8-17-6, 3.65 GAA, .864 SV%, 1 SO with St. Louis Blues) vs. Juuse Saros (21-17-5, 3.20 GAA, .892 SV% with Nashville Predators)
Binner allowed 3 goals on 24 shots in the OT win over Czechia Wednesday. He has stopped 59 of 64 shots fired his way in 3 Olympic starts for a .922 SV%.
Saros stopped 21 of 23 in the OT win over Switzerland Wednesday. He has stopped 91 of 97 shots fired his way in 4 starts for the fourth-best SV% at .938.
Canada 4, Finland 2
There’s no play here as Canada is rightfully a massive favorite. Instead, take MACKLIN CELEBRINI ANYTIME GOAL (+110). The center leads the Olympics with 5 goals and has scored in all 4 games.
When the line was Finland +2.5 (-145), the choice was clear. Canada showed vulnerability in its last game, and if given the choice, I’d rather play Finland to lose by fewer than 2 than Canada to win by 3+. But with the line shifting from +2.5 to +1.5, best to just to PASS here.
I like the OVER 5.5 (-110). Canada has scored 24 goals in 4 games and allowed 3 last time out. Finland put 4 on Sweden and 11 on Italy, and they can find the back of the net.
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