Odds and Betting Analysis for Canada's Hockey Team at Beijing Olympics

With no NHL players taking part, uncertainty once again surrounds this year’s men’s hockey competition at the Beijing Olympics.

To fill the void, teams have constructed their rosters with experience, youth or a combination of both. How the rosters mesh is anyone’s guess, leading to plenty of parity throughout the field and some excellent sports gambling opportunities.

No NHL Players Means Canada’s Team is Young

It’s the second consecutive Winter Olympics where no NHL players will be present after a dispute between the league and International Olympic Committee over costs kept the world’s best from taking part in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) took the gold, edging Germany.

The last time NHL members played in the Olympics was in the 2014 Sochi Olympics with Canada taking gold. The Canadians also took gold on its home ice in Vancouver in 2010, with Sidney Crosby scoring the game-winning goal in overtime to defeat Team USA.

But the Canadians didn’t fare as well without the likes of Crosby and other NHL stars in 2018, getting upset by Germany in the semifinals and settling for bronze. This year, Canada has decided to go with a mix of experienced veterans and youth in Beijing.

There are former NHL castoffs who now play in other countries and interesting prospects with potential.

How Canada’s Team Shapes Up

Eric Staal is the team captain and played 17 seasons in the NHL. He helped the Montreal Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Final this past summer and became a free agent. Despite helping his team to the Finals, no one reached out to sign him for the 2021-22 season.

Staal has experienced Olympic success, winning a gold medal in Vancouver while playing on a line alongside Crosby and Jarome Iginla.

“We’ve got great players, but we need to perform as a team and we need to have everybody on board,” Staal told members of the press. “It’s a tough tournament to win. You need everything to line up correctly.”

One of Canada’s interesting young players is 19-year-old defenceman Owen Power, who was selected No. 1 overall in the 2021 draft by the Buffalo Sabres. Power currently attends the University of Michigan.

Another 19-year-old, forward Mason McTavish, could also have a breakout Olympics. McTavish was picked third in the 2021 entry draft by the Anaheim Ducks and recorded two goals and an assist when he started the year with the Ducks. McTavish was eventually sent to the OHL for more work.

The key for Canada’s chances at making a deep run may come down to 20-year-old goaltender Devon Levi. He’s already had international success, leading Canada to a gold medal at the 2021 world junior championship, recording a .964 save percentage during the tournament. This season for Northeastern, he’s tallied a 16-7-1 record and posted a .948 save percentage.

“Any time I have ever had success with a team, it has come because we had a good balance of youth and experience,” Staal said. “This seems like a great group, and I like our balance.”

Canada’s Odds at The Beijing Olympics

The defending gold medalists, ROC, are the favorites to capture gold in Beijing. On the Mr. Green Sportsbook, the ROC is +150 to win the men’s hockey tournament. Finland is second at +395 and Canada is tied with Sweden with the third-best odds at +700.

Canada’s first game will take place on Thursday when it takes on Germany in a rematch of its semifinal loss in Pyeongchang. The Canadians are –1.5 (+115) on the puck line at bet365 Sportsbook and Germany is +1.5 (-154).

Canada will then face the U.S. on Friday before wrapping up group play against host China on Sunday. Odds for those games have not been released yet.