- What: 4 Nations Face-Off NHL Picks
- Who: Canada vs USA
- When: Thursday, February 20, 8:00 p.m.
Entering Thursday's final, Canada and the USA each have identical 2-1 records following round-round play at the 4 Nations Face-Off. The one factor that can be weighed is the head-to-head meeting between the two countries. The USA beat Canada 3-1, scoring into an empty-net to clinch the victory.
Oddsmakers are finding it difficult to back either nation heading into the Thursday, February 20 final at Boston's TD Garden. Both Canada and the USA are set with -108 odds.
Let's take a look at the latest betting line on this game. Remember, odds are always subject to change.
As the championship final of the 4 Nations Face-Off, naturally this is the best bet of the night in the NHL picks.
Best NHL Picks For You
Before we launch a deeper dive into Thursday's Canada vs USA 4 Nations Face-Off final 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.
4 Nations Rematch For Canada, USA
It was a breakaway goal by Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings that would prove to be the winner for the USA in the first meeting with Canada. However, the Canadians were playing that game minus the country's best defenseman. Former Norris Trophy winner Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche was out due to illness.
Makar will be back for Canada in this game. His offensive creativity makes the Canadians a much more dangerous foe. They've scored nine goals in the two games that Makar did play during the tournament.
Thursday night 🎥🇨🇦🇺🇸#4Nations pic.twitter.com/S1mZidXAeD
— 4 Nations Face-off (@4NationsHockey) February 17, 2025
This will be the first Canada-USA final in an NHL best-on-best competition since the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic games. It's interesting to note that the Americans won in round-robin play at that event. However, Canada was a 2-1 winner in the gold-medal game on an overtime goal by Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.
Crosby is Canada's captain in this tournament.
Canada Has Edge In Superstar Talent
Adding Makar's deception and ability to join the rush to current NHL MVP and Colorado teammate Nathan MacKinnon, as well as three-time MVP Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers makes Canada a much bigger threat to the USA.
Canada could use more depth of scoring. MacKinnon, McDavid and Crosby have accounted for six of the country's 10 goals.
Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues is getting the start in goal, as he has for every game of the tournament. Binnington isn't ranked among the world's top 10 goalies. However, he has won Game 7 of a Stanley Cup final - and it was in this rink.
USA Stricken By Injury And Illness
A key injury for the USA, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is dealing with a shoulder injury that includes an infection. He's the most physical US defender and won't be playing in the final. That could open up more ice for superstars McDavid and MacKinnon to work their magic.
Reigning Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks was briefly sought to replace McAvoy. However, the same injury that kept him out of the tournament is keeping him out of the final.
Calm before the storm. 🇺🇸#4Nations Team USA getting their last practice in. pic.twitter.com/Ccp0bUC318
— 4 Nations Face-off (@4NationsHockey) February 19, 2025
Now there's another issue for the USA. Illness is working its way through the team's roster. Forwards Auston Matthews (upper body) of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) of the Florida Panthers both missed the Americans' meaningless round-robin finale against Sweden on Monday. Tkachuk's younger brother Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators (lower body) left that game with an injury. All three are expected to play Thursday.
Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, who leads the NHL in wins and save percentage, gets the start in goal for the USA.
The USA has scored 10 goals in the tournament. However, 60% of those goals came in a 6-1 rout of Finland.
Canada vs USA 4 Nations Face-Off NHL Picks
When two teams are as evenly matched as these two countries are, it's hard for the same team to win twice in a row. That was emphasized at the 2010 Winter Olympiad and could be in play again here. Canada has more depth of elite superstars in McDavid, MacKinnon and Makar.
As well, there are 20 Stanley Cup rings on the Canadian roster, as opposed to three among the USA players. Big-game experience never is a bad thing. Take Canada to defeat the USA in the NHL picks for the 4 Nations Face-Off final.
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