It’s a rematch of last year’s gold-medal game as Team Canada takes on Team Russia in the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship semifinals.
The Canadians have run the table, collecting five straight wins, and also blanked the Russians 1-0 in an exhibition game two weeks ago. Team Russia went 3-1 SU in its preliminary round and eked out a 2-1 win versus Team Germany in the quarterfinals.
Hockey odds have Team Canada as a 1.5-goal favorite with the total set at 5.5, shaded heavily to the Over.
Here are our World Junior Hockey Championship free picks and predictions for Team Russia vs. Team Canada for Monday, January 4 (6:00 p.m. ET).
Team Canada vs Team Russia Betting Preview
Key Injuries
Canada: Kirby Dach F (Out), Alex Newhook F (Questionable).
Russia: None to report.
Betting Trend to Know
Team Canada and Team Russia have played each other six times in the tournament over the last decade. Canada is 4-2 SU in those six games.
Puck Line Pick
Team Canada has looked flawless through five games as this potent offense is complemented by its commitment to defense. Through six games, including the exhibition game versus Russia, the Canadians have allowed just four goals and shut out their opponents three times.
Team Canada has looked impenetrable at even strength, having yet to yield an even-strength goal through 18 periods of competition. If the Canucks can stay out of the box (all Canadian referees), the Russians will struggle to put up goals, something that hasn't come easy to them this year.
Team Russia only managed two goals in the quarterfinals against a German team that had allowed 28 goals in its four round-robin games. Normally known for its offensive game, Team Russia has scored 18 goals in six games and lost 2-0 to a Czech Republic Team that was blanked by the Canadians 3-0 on Saturday.
It’s hard not to take Team Canada, as it has looked much better than its opposition. They are giving nothing away on the defensive end and their combination of size and skill has helped develop an incredible cycle-game that has worn down every country they've faced.
Getting Team Canada at -1.5 feels like a steal after the higher puck lines that were set before it.
PREDICTION: Team Canada -1.5 (-107)
Over/Under Pick
Canada is loaded with talent but it hasn’t translated to a ton of lopsided scores. Instead, Team Canada has scored early and played lights out defensively while controlling the play in the attacking zone for long stretches of time.
The Canadians have scored before the 10:00 mark of the first period in all five of their games but have hit the Over just twice—versus some much weaker opponents.
When these two nations met in the gold-medal game last year, Canada won 4-3 but both teams came out defensively, playing to a 0-0 tie in the first period. If Russia can keep things close early – something they have done all tournament – this semi-final match could be another low-scoring affair.
The Russians are the only team in the final four without a skater in the Top 10 in scoring and only have two skaters in the Top 30. Goals have not come easy for the usually potent Russian roster.
Having a pair of great goaltenders also gives us plenty of confidence in the Under. Canada’s Devon Levi leads the tournament in goals-against average (0.64) and save percentage (.967) while Russia’s Yaroslav Askarov has made more saves than any other goalie in the semifinals.
With Canada’s ability to shrink the ice and play defensively responsible hockey, we are putting our New Year's dollars on the Under Monday and won’t sweat it if Canada pops an early goal.
PREDICTION: Under 5.5 (-110)
Team Canada vs Team Russia Betting Card
- Team Canada -1.5 (-107)
- Under 5.5 (-110)
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Where Can I Bet on the 2021 WJHC?
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