Sweden vs. Canada 4 Nations Face-Off Prediction and Preview:
Here are my best bets for tonight’s Sweden vs. Canada matchup in the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Sweden vs. Canada (-235, 6.5)
8 p.m. ET
The biggest question facing Canada heading into game one of the 4 Nations Face-Off tonight is who would start in goal. On Monday, that question was answered when head coach Jon Cooper announced that St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington would get the nod over Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights. While Binnington and Hill are the only two goalies in this tournament to raise the Stanley Cup, Canada is widely considered to have the weakest goalies in the tournament. Filip Gustavsson will get the start tonight for Sweden as he was in the “starter’s net” at the morning skate today. While Sweden has a slight advantage in goal, Canada has the edge up front and on defense. Canada’s dream team roster, highlighted by Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar just to name a few, should be able to provide enough offense to compensate for any goaltending issues.
Team Sweden has their share of offensive weapons. Filip Forsberg (Nashville), William Nylander (Toronto) and Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles) all have scored forty goals in a season.
I like Canada to win this game, but the money line price is way too steep. Laying a goal and half at (+110) doesn’t intrigue me. I am going to pass on the total as well tonight. I will wait for live lines to hopefully get a better price on Canada.
When it comes to player props, I look for players who play on the top two lines, are part of the team’s Power Play units, and have a history of success against the opposition’s goalie.
Sweden’s Victor Hedman anchors the country’s number-one power play and has the fifth most assists among NHL defensemen (seventh overall in the NHL) in the tournament. Jesper Bratt has more assists this season than any other player on Sweden.
Canada’s Cale Makar is Canada’s best defenseman and plays on the top power play unit. Mitch Marner will play alongside Connor McDavid, and I like his chances to record at least one assist.
NHL Predictions: Victor Hedman Over ½ assist (+220) – ½ unit
Jesper Bratt Over ½ assist (+190) – ½ unit
Cale Makar Over ½ assist (-110) – ½ unit
Mitch Marner Over ½ assist (-130) – ½ unit
