The 2018 Olympic hockey tournament will not feature NHL players and that means Russia, not Canada is listed as the favorite. Russia has more marquee players than any of the other teams and they are listed at odds of +115 to win the Gold Medal. Canada is the second choice at odds of +300, while Sweden is third in the betting odds at +400. The only other team listed at single-digit odds is Finland at +650. Let’s look at the men’s tournament, take a brief look at the women’s tournament, and also make some Olympic hockey picks.
Bet Olympic Hockey at BookMaker.eu
Odds to Win Men’s Hockey Gold Medal
Olympic Athletes from Russia +115
Canada +300
Sweden +400
Finland +650
Czech Republic +1000
USA +1500
Switzerland +1600
Germany +6000
Slovakia +7500
Norway +15000
Slovenia +35000
South Korea +50000
This tournament has 12 countries that are split up into three groups of four teams each. The teams in each group will play each other once with the group winner receiving a bye into the quarterfinals. The highest remaining team will also get a bye into the quarterfinals. The other eight teams will play an elimination game to get to the quarterfinals. The quarterfinal winners will then advance to the semifinals with the semifinal winners meeting for the Gold Medal, while the losers play for the Bronze Medal.
Odds Analysis
There are three main contenders to win the Gold in Russia, Canada and Sweden, two darkhorses in Finland and the Czech Republic and two longshots in the USA and Switzerland. The other five teams have no chance. Russia has the marquee players that most people recognize in Pavel Datsyuk and Ily Kovalchuk and they will also have the home ice advantage. Canada has some former NHL players who are playing in other leagues, while Sweden may be the most cohesive team in the tournament. Sweden also boasts defenseman Rasmus Dahlin who is expected to be the No. pick in this year’s NHL Draft. Finland features Eeli Tolvanen who is an exciting rookie in the KHL and Miro Heisakanen who plays in the Finnish Liiga. The Czech Republic is led by veteran forward Martin Erat who played for Nashville, Washington and Arizona in the NHL.
Odds to Win Women’s Hockey Gold Medal
USA -165
Canada +115
Finland +1500
Olympic Athletes from Russia +2200
Sweden +3000
Switzerland +18000
Japan +47000
South Korea +70000
Free Olympic Hockey Picks
There is not much value in taking Russia in the men’s tournament at +115. I think the value is on Sweden, as they are very experienced on the International level and they have players that should excel playing on the big Olympic ice surface. I will take Sweden to win the Gold at +400. The women’s hockey tournament is all about the USA and Canada, as no other team has any real chance. The USA should win, but there is not much value in taking them at -165.
Men’s Olympic Hockey Schedule
Day, Time (ET), Matchup, Group
Wednesday, Feb. 14
7:10 a.m. Russia-Slovakia B
7:10 a.m. USA-Slovenia B
10:10 p.m. Finland-Germany C
Thursday, Feb. 15
2:40 a.m. Sweden-Norway C
7:10 a.m. Czech Republic-South Korea A
7:10 a.m. Canada-Switzerland A
10:10 p.m. USA-Slovakia B
Friday, Feb. 16
2:40 a.m. Russia-Slovenia B
7:10 a.m. Finland-Norway C
7:10 a.m. Sweden-Germany C
10:10 p.m. Canada-Czech Republic A
Saturday, Feb. 17
2:40 a.m. Switzerland-South Korea A
7:10 a.m. USA-Russia B
7:10 a.m. Slovakia-Slovenia B
10:10 p.m. Germany-Norway C
Sunday, Feb. 18
2:40 a.m. Czech Republic-Switzerland A
7:10 a.m. Canada-South Korea A
7:10 a.m. Sweden-Finland C
Monday, Feb. 19
10:10 p.m. Elimination Game
Tuesday, Feb. 20
2:40 a.m. Elimination Game
7:10 a.m. Elimination Game
7:10 a.m. Elimination Game
10:10 p.m. Quarterfinal
Wednesday, Feb. 21
2:40 a.m. Quarterfinal
7:10 a.m. Quarterfinal
7:10 a.m. Quarterfinal
Friday, Feb. 23
2:40 a.m. Semifinal
7:10 a.m. Semifinal
Saturday, Feb. 24
7:10 a.m. Bronze-Medal Game
11:10 p.m. Gold-Medal Game
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go.
Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
