Hello. I have been away for many weeks and really haven't had interest in hockey betting. I have been looking at the olympics and feel I have some edges.
The Swe/Cze game I had swe -1.5, -2.5 and -3.5 and the ov5.5. Worked out well as Sweden is more stacked up front and the goalie matchup as the key there. That game is over.
Russia/Slovenia
LOVE, LOVE LOVE this game and the odds. This should be a romp as the Russians should be favored by 7 or 7.5. Its always been this way with olympics and junior hockey. The Russians, Fins, Sweedes and even Fins pick on these teams very badly and the Russians do it the best.
Back in the 2002 olympics I remember laying my whole bankroll on Cze -800 to win against one of these guys and they did like 13-1. Easy win. A night or two later I put my whole bankroll on Canada-900 over Germany and that game almost lost as Canada won 3-2 with Germany pressuring at the end. I almost had a heart attack and never made a bet like that again. My theory was dead on. Those nations destroy everyone else and Canada beats them alright.
With this game the Russians have one of the best offensive cores I have ever seen at home against Slovenia who doesn't have a goalie even good enough for the KHL. Russians are solid in net. Kopitar is the only NHL player on SLO and the size of these guys with many of them at 180 or lower in body weight (lbs). This has everything spelt to be a massive blowout. Ovechkin should get a hat trick as the defense and goaltending are so inferior this will be easier than playing practice in Washington. The top 2 lines are stacked and there is some concern for their 3rd and 4th lines. If I were to match both teams bottom two lines in this game, Russia still dominates with their KHL crowd. Only one KHL player is on team Slovenia. Prediction: Russia 9 Slovenia 0
Picks:
Russia-5.5+140, -6.5+250 ***large***
Ovechkin to score at least two goals YES+250
Canada versus Norway
Because of Canada's older history in not crushing these teams, I am not making this play massive, but its still a premium pick from my research. I remember the first olympics in 1996 or 1998 that had NHL Players. I got up very early to watch Canada I think play Japan. They won by like 4-0 or 5-1 or something that was not massive beatdown. Up until the midpoint of the last decade it was a lock to take five or more goals against Canada.
Norway brings one NHL'er to this game in Mats Zuccarello from the NY Rangers. This player has done well with them as a solid second liner. This team brings three forwards whom weigh greater than 200lbs and these guys are not at the same level as Canada who brings an all-star team. When looking at Canada's key forwards in Crosby, St. Louis, Toews, Tavares, Perry, Sharp and the list goes on, the same theory in Ovechkin having his day in practice will be with these guys. They will score goals as the defense and goaltending is very inferior. I do not buy into the jet lag when their opponents are at a lower level. This could mean Canada could their guard down and over estimate competition, but that isn't going to happen as this team should be eager to defend their title. Prediction: Canada 8 Norway 1
Picks
Canada,-4.5-110 -5.5+180, -6.5+340
Over 7.5+150
Crosby to score at least one goal+100
Parlay: Can-6.5 to Rus-6.5 +1440
Parlay: Each of these three teams to lead after one period *HUGE*
Russia over Slovenia
Canada over Norway
Finland over Austria
Odds work to +120.
If I lose laying the goals, I have to figure it will be because of the third period when the foot is let off the gas. I don't buy jetlag and expect that Russia and Canada both come out firing. Finland is -240 to lead after one period and I figure all they need to do is score one goal with Rask in net for the Fins. I have to figure this parlay is a huge favorite to win and to get better than even is a sure HUGE wager.
I have risked 12% of my bankroll on all these plays and job #1 for me is always bankroll management and to only risk this kind of percentage when the odds are heavily in your favor. My Sweden wagers were only 1.4%