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USA (1-0-0-0) vs. Canada (0-1-0-0) in Montreal
Date: Saturday, February 15
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
The pick — OVER 6.5 goals (+100, BetMGM)
To say this 4 Nations Face-Off matchup is massive is an understatement.
After one game of round-robin play, Team USA sits atop the standings with its 6-1 regulation win over Finland last Thursday. The Americans are one point ahead of Canada, which needed overtime to beat Sweden 4-3 and allow me to cash out on last Wednesday’s wager.
Saturday’s showdown is a literal coin flip. Both sides are -110, and if I was going to pick a winner, I’d lean toward the Canadians, who’ll get to play at Centre Bell in Montreal. It also doesn't hurt that they are 26-0 over the past 15 years when Sidney Crosby is captain, which he currently is.
I feel safe going with the over despite how well USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck played against the Fins. He wasn’t really challenged a ton, and that won’t be the case against a Canada squad that pocketed four goals against a really good Swedish defense.
Team USA will bring its own fireworks, especially if Brady and Matthew Tkachuk continue to be paired with Jack Eichel. That mid-game switch created instant offense in the Americans’ four-goal third period.
I expect a lot of lamps to be lit in a regulation victory, with the winner almost assuredly headed to the championship game.
Season record: 18-17-2, +2.6 units