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Canada vs. Sweden in Montreal
Date: Wednesday, February 12
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: TNT, truTV, Max
The pick — Sweden +1.5 (-120, BetMGM)
The 4 Nations Face-Off kicks off in Montreal with Canada, one of the host countries, taking on Sweden. Betting this tournament is an absolute crapshoot due to the teams’ short time to come together and sync up.
The Canadians are absolutely loaded offensively with Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Sidney Crosby. Even Seth Jarvis is having a career year. The defense features Cale Makar, Shea Theodore and Team Canada’s other blue liners who are very much offensive-minded.
Sweden has what it takes to slow down a good offense. The country produces elite defenseman. And while the goaltending isn’t up to the Henrik Lundqvist standards of old, the Swedish style of play can work with most goalies. But it’s not like the Swedes have slouches in net with Filip Gustavsson, Jacob Markstrom and Linus Ullmark.
I think Canada wins the game, but I like Sweden to keep it close even though it’s essentially the road team at the Bell Centre.
Season record: 17-17-2, +1.6 units