4 Nations Face-Off Prediction: Team USA Best Bet

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck leads Team USA (+150), along with sharp-shooting captain Auston Matthews and the league’s second-leading scorer among defensemen, Zach Werenski.

Canada (+150) has some injury concerns with veteran center Sidney Crosby, but has plenty of star power with forwards Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid along with defenseman Cale Makar.

Sweden (+400) could easily score at a big number and Finland cannot be discounted in hockey predictions.

4 Top Betting Tips For 4 Nations Face-Off

1. Depth Makes Team USA Solid Favorite

According to NHL news, the United States team took a hit on Sunday when reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes of Vancouver opted out due to injury. Still, its defense may be the best in the tournament.

Hughes is third in defensemen scoring this season, but Team USA has the man just ahead of him – Werenski of Columbus – along with Adam Fox from the New York Rangers and defensive stalwart Jaccob Slavin from Carolina.

Slavin/Fox

Werenski/McAvoy

Hanifin/Faber

Sanderson https://t.co/Rwf2scirWh

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 10, 2025

But above all else, Team USA is the best online bet to win it all because of its goaltending trio. Hellebuyck of Winnipeg leads the league in wins, Jake Oettinger of Dallas is second while Boston’s Jeremy Swayman is no slacker.

The forward group is deep and versatile as well with Toronto’s Matthews leading the way and the Tkachuk brothers – Brady and Matthew – causing havoc. Jake Guentzel from Tampa Bay could be a good player prop bet as well.

Bet on some “U-S-A” chants in the final at Boston’s TD Garden.

2. Defense Makes Sweden Value Bet

You can never count out Sweden, especially with their talented defense in a short tournament.

Captain Victor Hedman leads the defense along with Rasmus Dahlin from Buffalo, Florida’s Gustav Forsling, Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson and Calgary’s underrated Rasmus Andersson.

William Nylander of Toronto and Detroit’s Lucas Raymond key the offense for the Swedes, who will need big efforts from Filip Gustavsson (Minnesota) or Linus Ullmark (Ottawa) in net to make them a good sports bet.

SWEDEN

Nylander-Zibanejad-Rakell
Kempe-Pettersson-Forsberg
Bratt-Eriksson Ek-Raymond
Nyquist-Lindholm-Arvidsson
Carlsson

Hedman-Brodin
Ekholm-Karlsson
Dahlin-Andersson
Forsling is sick today and not practising

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 10, 2025

The key game for Sweden will be the first of the tournament against Canada on Wednesday. A victory there and this team can win the tournament at good odds at BetUS sportsbook.

3. Is it Whoa Canada In Net?

Canada boasts the top three scorers in the league that are eligible for the tournament in MacKinnon of Colorado, McDavid from Edmonton and Toronto’s Mitch Marner, per NHL stats.

However, on paper, it appears the Canadians could be lacking in net. Adin Hill (Las Vegas) and Jordan Binnington (St. Louis) have both won Stanley Cups and Samuel Montembeault (Montreal) is having a good season, but others that stayed home might have been better picks

Team Canada’s goaltenders since the 4 Nations roster was announced:

Adin Hill — .900 (17 games)
Jordan Binnington — .900 (19 games)
Sam Montembeault — .896 (21 games)

Versus:

Logan Thompson — .931 (17 games)
Darcy Kuemper — .927 (19 games)
MacKenzie Blackwood — .925 (23 games)

— Dave Hall (@davehall1289) February 8, 2025

That doesn’t mean offense can’t carry the Canadians to the title and/or one of the capable goalies gets hot. Coach Jon Cooper has also brought in three of his Tampa Bay stalwarts up front in Brayden Point, Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel.

The Canadans are capable of going 4-0, but we think you should save your money at their low 4 Nations Face-Off future odds.

4. Longshot Finns Worth a Bet

Finland has been a factor in most international tournaments of late. The Finns won the last Olympic gold with NHL players staying home in China (2022). They also lost in the World Juniors final to the United States two months ago.

Forwards Sebastian Aho (Carolina), Sasha Barkov (Florida) and sharp-shooting Patrik Laine (Montreal) can give teams trouble, but the Finns just don’t seem to have the depth to get it done in this event.

Sasha Barkov is so insanely strong on the puck
pic.twitter.com/QjDu2g3h1Y

— Adam Reid (@AdamReid_) February 5, 2025

Anything can happen in a tournament like this. However, we can’t make the Finns our hockey pick for the 4 Nations Face-off, despite their value odds.

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Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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