Welcome to Last Word On Hockey’s Olympic Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at Team USA battling Team Germany in the Group C finale. Don’t forget to check out more Olympic Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the Olympics.
Winter Olympic Hockey Predictions
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Denmark vs Latvia
International Head-to-Head Record: Series tied 8-8
Time: 1:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 10:10 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: In Canada: SN, CBC, CBC Gem, TSN
In the United States: USA Network, Peacock
We open up Olympics hockey predictions with the Group C finale for both Denmark and Latvia. The Danes gave Team USA all they could handle before losing, 6-3, on Saturday. Denmark led after the first period before the United States used another second-period surge to pull away.
Mads Sogaard got the start but had to leave the game due to an injury. Frederik Dichow came in to finish the game for Denmark. However, this seems like the perfect time to see Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen get the start to improve the Danes’ positioning for the qualification round.
Latvia got a nice bounce back win over Germany on Saturday to put itself in position to finish the preliminary round on a strong note. The Latvians hung with the Americans in the first period before a bad second period doomed them. However, Boston Bruins prospect Dans Locmelis potted a pair of goals in the 4-3 victory.
Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs played in the win over Germany and there could be a temptation to play him again. However, Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins is ready and waiting in the wings.
This is a tough matchup, and Denmark threw everything it had at Team USA. However, Latvia should pick up its second straight win.
Prediction: Latvia wins 4-3.
USA vs Germany
Olympic Head-to-Head Record: USA leads 9-1
Time: 3:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 12:10 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: In Canada: SN, CBC, CBC Gem, TSN
In the United States: USA Network, Peacock
Our final and featured game of our Olympics hockey predictions has the United States looking to lock down one of the top four seeds against Germany. The Americans were made to sweat a bit before pulling away against the Danes. Jack Eichel was the only player to have multiple points with a goal and an assist in the win.
Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman got the call in the second game. However, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck should get the start in this one as the Americans eye one of the top two seeds for the quarterfinals. Hellebuyck looked strong in the opener against Latvia.
Germany was thought be a dark horse in the tournament. However, it faces an uphill climb after that upset loss to Latvia. Edmonton Oilers standout Leon Draisaitl has gotten points in both games so far. However, he’ll need help in order for the Germans to spring the upset.
Seattle Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer has gotten the start in both games for the German. It seems likely that he’ll get the call again. However, always check social media before locking in a starter.
The Americans will need goals in order to catch up to Canada in goal differential. However, it won’t be enough, and the USA may have to deal with Sweden in the quarterfinals.
Prediction: United States wins 5-1.
Best Bets
We close out our Olympic hockey predictions with some prop bets of the night. Let’s stick with our featured game for our preferred props. The over/under for Germany versus the United States is 6.5, and we like the under in this game.
As for individual props, take Ottawa Senators sniper Tim Stutzle to get a goal. On the USA side of things, go with Eichel to get the over on 1.5 points.
Main photo by: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
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