- What: 4 Nations Face-Off NHL Picks
- Who: Canada vs Sweden
- When: Wednesday, February 12, 7:00 p.m.
The first NHL best on best tournament in nearly a decade gets underway Wednesday at Montreal's Bell Centre, as Canada plays host to Sweden in the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off. There hasn't been an international hockey event pitting the world's best players against each other since Canada won the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Oddsmakers are taking the home-ice advantage into account when setting the odds on this game. Canada is set as a -260 favorite.
Let's take a look at the latest betting line on this game. Remember, odds are always subject to change.
This is the only game on opening night of the 4 Nations Face-Off, so naturally we think it provides the best bet of the night in the NHL picks.
Best NHL Picks For You
Before we launch a deeper dive into Wednesday's Canada vs Sweden 4 Nations Face-Off NHL picks and best bets, why not take a look at our handy NHL betting guide to see where the best NHL betting odds and picks are located, including the latest props and futures wagering. As well, these online sportsbook reviews will also aid in helping you decipher which betting site is the one that's going to service your NHL betting needs on a comprehensive basis. And if you're someone who is living life on the move, these are the best sports betting apps that can help you get your NHL bets down in the midst of your busy day.
Injuries Impacting Both Teams In 4 Nations
Both the Canadians and the Swedes were forced into some last-minute roster juggling when injuries cost each country key players leading into the tournament.
Veteran Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, was added to Canada's roster on Sunday to replace injured Vegas Golden Knights blueliner Alex Pietrangelo.
However, there was also some good news for the Canadians. Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, who is serving in the same role for Canada, is opting to play in the event. He had missed the Penguins' final two games leading up to the tournament break due to an undisclosed injury.
Sidney Crosby's on the ice for Canada's first #4Nations practice 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/Cwip4wLPI7
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 10, 2025
Pittsburgh general manager Kyle Dubas left it up to Crosby to decide if he wanted to play and Crosby answered in the affirmative. At the age of 40, he might not get many more chances to play in an competition of this magnitude. Crosby scored the Olympic gold-medal winning goal for Canada at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.
Sweden is also dealing with injuries at the most important position on the ice - in goal. Jacob Markstrom of the New Jersey Devils is missing the tourney due to a knee injury. He's third in the NHL in goals-against average (2.20) and seventh in wins (21). Samuel Ersson of the Philadelphia Flyers is replacing Markstrom on the roster.
Former Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark of the Ottawa Senators is just back in action from a back injury. That will likely leave Swedish goaltending in the hands of Minnesota Wild netminder Filip Gustavsson. He's ninth in the NHL with a .915 save percentage.
Canadians Loaded With Talent
Along with Pittsburgh’s Crosby, Canada's roster is populated with such high-end NHL talent as multiple Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, reigning NHL MVP Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, his Avalanche teammate Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar and Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Creating offense shouldn't be an issue for Canada. MacKinnon leads the NHL in scoring and McDavid is fourth overall. Crosby is Pittsburgh's top scorer. Sam Reinhart of the Florida Panthers has 31 goals this season.
In goal, Stanley Cup winner Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues will get the start against Sweden.
Swedes Solid On Defense
Defense is the name of the game for Sweden. No country in the 4 Nations Face-Off goes as deep in terms of quality rearguards.
Start with team captain Victor Hedman. He's won two Stanley Cups with the Tampa Bay Lightnng. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as NHL playoff MVP in 2020 and is a six-time Norris Trophy finalist.
Victor Hedman is a big fan of what William Nylander brings to Sweden at the 4 Nations pic.twitter.com/0Fl5lNtuBq
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) February 12, 2025
There's also three-time Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson of the Pittsburgh Penguins and reigning Stanley Cup champion Gustav Forsling of the Florida Panthers. Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres was the first overall pick in his NHL draft year. Mattias Ekholm was a Stanley Cup finalist last spring with the Oilers.
Canada vs Sweden 4 Nations Face-Off NHL Picks
Those with a good memory or solid knowledge of international hockey will recall that in the opening game of the 2002 Winter Olympics, Sweden pulled off a stunning upset of Canada.
Don't count on history repeating itself. Canada will be ready to go and loaded for bear in front of a boisterous home crowd in Montreal. Take the Canadians in the NHL picks for this 4 Nations Face-Off opener.
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