2026 Men's Olympic Ice Hockey Tournament Plays

0W / 0L / 0P

No futures plays for me as its an area of sports betting regardless of sport that I have never exceled at.  The price on Canada isn't worth it in my opinion though.  I'm seeing +117 to win gold at Pinnacle.  Your better off waiting to see how the lines adjust after the play off round.  All the talk has been about it being a Canada / USA final but in a short tournament you cannot count out Finland or Sweden with Czechia being a dark horse.  It wouldn't be unusual for Canada to come slow out of the gate.  Taking a flyer at Czechia to win Group A at +794 has value imo.  Canada could still reach the quarters via the best 2nd place team.

Host teams performance in the 1st game in the Best On Best Era at the Olympics

1998 - Nagano - Germany 3 Japan 1

2002 - Salt Lake City - United States 6 Finland 0

2006 - Torino - Canada 7 Italy 2 (only 1 to 0 Canada after 1 though)

2010 - Vancouver - Canada 8 Norway 0

2014 - Sochi - Russia 1 Slovakia 0 (After SO)

The above is just for fun.  Not sure if anything can be deciphered with such a small sample size.

Eye test will be crucial in this tournament.  Even if you cannot watch the games live it would still be a good idea to watch them on demand.  Your looking for styles of play that could be tricky for some of the favourites.  Think Finland's approach to collapsing 5 on the goalie.  Tough to score when you can't get shots through.

Because its the first game of the tournament I'm staring with low unit wagers.  Need to see 1 game for each team first before going above a 0.5u play.

Slovakia / Finland U5 +114 Regulation (0.5u to win 0.72u)

Would rather have a push at worst.  If this doesn't hit than I saved some coin by not going with the U5.5 but when I see a line of -2 for Finland my mind goes go to a 3 to 1 score line.  Again without seeing the teams we don't have much to go on yet.  Let's see how this plays out 

Italy +5.5 -148 Regulation (0.5u to win 0.34u)

Host nation will not want to get embarrassed and I do not think Sweden will want to embarrass the host nation.  They can win comfortably 5 to 0 or 4 to 0 or even 6 to 2 hence I do not have a play on the total.

Looking forward to a great tournament 

BOL to everyone with their plays 

1W / 0L / 1P (+0.34u)

Slovakia / Finland U5 +114 Regulation (0.5u to win 0.72u) P

Italy +5.5 -148 Regulation (0.5u to win 0.34u) 

January 12

I missed the France / Switzerland game but was leaning over.  The Swiss have a bunch of players from the Silver Medal team at the 2025 IIHF World Hockey Championships.  I thought they might rout France 6 to 1 or 6 to 0 but not the case.

Czechia was not at the 4 Nations and traditionally this team has always given Canada fits at any International Level.  I don't think that Canada will blow these guys out.  The line tells me this is going to be a 2 goal game with maybe Canada having an empty netter to get to a 5 to 2 outcome.  I feel like Czechia is a solid team and will keep this close.  

Czechia +2 Regulation +128 (0.5u to win 0.64u)

I feel like both teams will have a feeling out process in the 1st and would lean 1P U1.5 +120 but won't be making this wager.

With regards to the Latvia / USA match I was hoping to get USA at -3 or -3.5 goals however my book Pinnacle is only offering -4 at +100.  Latvia is a solid team and did beat the USA a couple of years ago for the Bronze at the IIHF World Hockey Championships.  This is Best on Best though and I think the Americans will want to make a statement here. Looking at a 5 to 0 or 6 to 1 score line here.

USA -4 Regulation +100 (0.5u to win 0.5u) - I rarely lay the puck line with this many goals however I think its warranted here.  Just wish I could get a better goal line.

The other game in this group is very intriguing.  Denmark knocked off Canada last year at the IIHF tournament in the QFs.  That Canadian team had Celebrini, Mackinnon and Crosby.  It was a legit win to.  Better team won.  Germany has arguably the 2nd best player in the world with Leon.  Wins will be at a premium in this group and I believe both will fancy a shot to win this game.  Taking a shot at the Total here with the Over.

Germany / Denmark O5 Regulation -142 (0.5u to win 0.35u)

Enjoy the games today everyone 

1W / 2L / 2P (-0.66u)

February 12

Czechia +2 Regulation +128 (0.5u to win 0.64u)  

USA -4 Regulation +100 (0.5u to win 0.5u) P

Germany / Denmark O5 Regulation -142 (0.5u to win 0.35u) 

Well the handicap on Czechia / Canada was way off.  Team Canada reminds of the Sochi team only with more offense.  The USA game should have ended 6 to 1 at worst.  Shenanigans in the 1st period caused this.  Lots of posts / cross bars and 2 goals called back.  The first one was correct for offside however the 2nd goal for goalie interference I completely disagree with but I've watched so much International Hockey that I was not surprised.  Germany / Denmark should have at least pushed but no one could find an empty net for Germany and Denmark couldn't score with the goalie pulled.  The last 4 minuets of the 3rd were played with an Empty Net.  Both those teams did not impress and I'll be looking to lay the puck line again for both when they play the United States.  It's possible depending on how things work out that USA will not face a true test until maybe the Semi-Finals.  Not sure if that is good or bad.

February 13

I missed the early games but I was leaning Finland.  They actually looked good against Slovakia, especially in the 1st period.  Sweden looked average at best against Italy.  I though maybe they were bush sitting but in a short tournament where goal differential counts they should have pumped Italy by 4 or 5 goals comfortably.  I was leaning the over in the Slovakia / Italy game but the Slovakia team that played Finland did not look like the same team against Italy.

Czechia / France 1P O1.5 -142 (0.71u to win 0.5u)

Both teams have yet to score in the tournament.  Czechia needs to win this comfortably owing to goal differential playing a part in this tournament.  The sooner they put away France the better so they can put it in neutral and prepare for Switzerland.  France will also come out hard knowing that they will have zero chance against Canada.  This might be the only game where they get any goals at all.  They did get 27 shots against Switzerland.  Looking for a 1 to 1 or 2 nil Czechia after 1.  

I've always had a hard time handicapping Canada games in International tournaments.  Based on the eye test they looked really good against Czechia.  The Swiss traditionally give Canada a hard time on the international stage.  Maybe 3 to 1 or even 4 to 1 could be possible outcomes for Canada.  I'm going to take the U5.5 at +112.  If this goes over then it means blow out city for Canada imo.  Its possible.  Let's see how it plays out 

Canada / Switzerland U5.5 Regulation +112 (0.5u to win 0.56u)

Enjoy the games today everyone 

2W / 3L / 2P (-0.66u)

February 13

Czechia / France 1P O1.5 -142 (0.71u to win 0.5u) 

Canada / Switzerland U5.5 Regulation +112 (0.5u to win 0.56u) 

Good test for Canada yesterday.  My take away was despite the score line I think the Swiss are a descent team.

February 14 

It's tough to find a play in the Finland / Italy game.  Finland is going to win the game and since all 3 teams will be tied with 6 points I think the criteria for tie breaks starts with points amongst the 3 teams in the tie break.  They all would have beaten each other so Sweden, Slovakia and Finland would all have 3 points.  The next tie break is goal differential amongst the teams concerned.  Finland has even goal differential after playing Sweden and Slovakia. Sweden has a minus -1 goal differential after playing Finland and Slovakia. Slovakia has a +1 Goal Differential after playing Finland and Sweden.  If I've interpreted the tie break correctly it doesn't matter how many goals Finland gets against Italy.  They need to win the game and should finish in 2nd with Sweden finishing in 3rd?  Slovakia wins the group because of the better goal differential amongst the teams concerned.  This could be the game where Italy finally gets hammered in the 1st period.

Finland 1P -1 -187 (1.87u to win 1u) - The sooner they can put away these guys the better I believe.

I mentioned earlier that I thought both Denmark and Germany were not impressive in their opening games and I feel comfortable that the USA will hammer both.  Americans are way to fast for both teams imo.

USA -4 Regulation -133 (1.33u to win 1u) 

Enjoy the games today everyone 

3W / 4L / 2P (-0.99u)

February 14th

Finland 1P -1 -187 (1.87u to win 1u) 

USA -4 Regulation -133 (1.33u to win 1u) 

Took a couple of days off.  Tough to read the teams so far for me anyways.

February 18

Things tighten up at least in the beginning for Czechia / Canada.  I'll take a chance at the 1P U1.5.  

Canada / Czechia 1P U1.5 +120 (1u to win 1.2u)

No play for the Finland / Switzerland team.  I feel like is a toss up but lean Finland 3 to 1 or 3 to 2 maybe.  

USA ML Regulation -158 (4.74u to win 3u)  Feel like this is a gift imo.  More a play against Sweden.  They have not looked good imo.  Feel like getting this USA team at this price in regulation is quite generous.  Don't see overtime in this one either.

Enjoy the games today everyone 

H2H records at the Olympics for the remaining 3 QFs

Canada leads the all time series with Czechia.  They have a total of 14 wins (including the group stage win this year) 2 Ties and 5 losses

It should be noted that since competing as Czech Republic / Czechia the results are 4 wins (including the group stage win this year) 1 Tie and 2 losses

Finland leads the all time series with Switzerland.  They have a total of 3 wins 0 Ties and 2 Losses.  Just 5 all time meetings between these 2 countries at the Olympics.

Sweden leads the all time series with the USA.  They have a total of 7 wins 2 Ties and 6 Losses.  The countries have not played at the Olympics since 2006 and the last time the USA beat Sweden at this competition was back in 1960.

Just some fun facts 

GL Doob 

3W / 6L / 2P (-6.73u)

February 18

Canada / Czechia 1P U1.5 +120 (1u to win 1.2u) 

USA ML Regulation -158 (4.74u to win 3u) 

February 20

Canada / Finland U5 +116 (1u to win 1.16u)

Finland +2.5 -158 (1.58u to win 1u)

Line reads like a 2 goal game imo.  Finland should be tight on D and they'll do what the Czechs did and collapse all 5 on the goalie.  The difference is that Finland does this better than other team imo and it works.  It will be tough to get shots through for Canada.  I still think they win the game but it could be 2 to 1 or 3 to 1 maybe.  

USA -2.5 Regulation -133 (13.30u to win 10u)

This is the game where we finally get the USA proper beat down I believe.  No fluke goals let in or posts or overturns on the ice.  The Slovak goalie would need to replicate the performance against Finland for them to keep it close.  USA will wear them down eventually.  As a hockey fan I would prefer a close game but I've got this one 5 to 1 USA.

If the USA gets to the Gold Medal game I will be taking them if its against Canada but would be undecided if its against Finland.

Enjoy the games today everyone 

5W / 6L / 3P (+3.27u)

February 20

Canada / Finland U5 +116 (1u to win 1.16u) P

Finland +2.5 -158 (1.58u to win 1u) 

USA -2.5 Regulation -133 (13.30u to win 10u) 

February 21 Bronze Medal Game

This is a tough one.  Slovakia just got their 1st Men's Olympic Hockey Medal in 2022.  That was a big deal for that country however this Bronze would be even a bigger deal as this is a best on best tournament.  You would be asking them to beat Finland twice in the same tournament.  The 1st game Finland had a ton of chances, I mean really good quality chances but the Slovak goalie stood on his head, especially in the 1st period.  Despite the score line being 4 to 1 for Slovakia I thought Finland was the better team overall.

The issue with backing Finland is their is going to be an emotional let down here.  They had Canada on the ropes but chose to sit back and clog the neutral zone / collapse all five on the goalie.  You cannot win like that in a Best on Best tournament (although you can in the IIHF World Championships).  Traditionally the Bronze medal is still worth playing for as it pertains to European teams but in this case one team will want to win this slightly more than the other imo yet this is still to tough to call.  Both teams could be a little blahzay in the 1st period so the U1.5 might be worth a look but I'll still go with both teams going all out for it in the 2nd half of the game.

Slovakia / Finland Regulation O6 +144 (1u to win 1.44u)

Over 5 is -151 so its not worth it if you like the over imo.  Over 5.5 is -101 but I'll risk taking the push with hopes of a 5 to 3 final for someone.

Enjoy the game today everyone 

@ELDubarino

 good insight, good luck doob

GL today 

@ELDubarino

 Both teams could be a little blahzay in the 1st period so the U1.5 might be worth a look

tailed the first p und 65/50 -130, thanks, wasn't looking at that angle, you still hiiting 2nd p ov? pp to start 

6W / 6L / 3P (+4.71u)

February 21

Slovakia / Finland Regulation O6 +144 (1u to win 1.44u) 

February 22 - Gold Medal Game

Sticking with my original play and going with USA.  They'll match the competition.  Their path has not been as tough but often in international hockey you play down to your competition.  The Sweden game was a little vexing to me. How did they not blow that team out?  The Sweden squad was very poor at this tournament but they held the USA to only 1 goal in regulation?  Is the USA going to park the bus if they get a 2 - 0 lead?  Too much fire power and the competition should raise their game.

I would love to take the Over 4.5 at -160 but it does seem to good to be true.  I could still see this game going the way of 2 to 0 either side or 3 to 2 either side.  Not sure I'm seeing 3 to 3 with overtime.  I also like 1P U1.5 however to juicy at -166.  1st period angle might be to take Canada on the AH -0.5 +164.  If the 1P total is set at 1.5 and juiced to the under you would think either 0 to 0 or 1 goal.  If its 1 goal I think Canada scores first.  At the end of the day not enough for me to pull the trigger on 1P plays or totals.

USA ML OT included +109 (5u to win 5.45u)

If USA goes down early I might double down and play them again live being down 1 goal.  It all depends on how they look.

Enjoy the game today everyone 

GL doob

Live after 3 periods 1 to 1

USA ML +101 (5u to win 5.05u)

I feel like Canada has been the better team but those missed chances are what make me lean towards the USA.  I also took USA at the 2025 Worlds in overtime against Switzerland and it payed off for what its worth 

What a game 

What a game is right !!!  

8W / 6L / 3P (+15.21u)

USA ML OT included +109 (5u to win 5.45u) 

Live after 3 periods 1 to 1 USA ML +101 (5u to win 5.05u) 

Great Tournament 

Canada teaches the world how to play with heart and grit never give up. 

Stanley cup finals the teams are filled with canadians.

In the colleges the hockey teams filled with Canadians teaching the Americans 

to play with heart and grit. The final 4 is filled with canadians.

What I am saying that sooner or later it comes back to bite you.

Well done from all of the teams.