USA Heavy Favorites Over Finland In 4 Nations Face-Off NHL Picks

What: 4 Nations Face-Off NHL Picks
Who: USA vs Finland
When: Thursday, February 13, 8:00 p.m.

If you choose to back the Americans in the NHL picks to win the 4 Nations Face-Off, no one will be surprised. Usually, when the USA wins a major international hockey tournament, it's generally a stunning upset. Unlike teams such as the USA's Miracle On Ice club that won the 1980 Winter Olympics, great things are expected of this American squad.

The USA will open the tournament on Thursday in Montreal playing the underdogs from Finland. Oddsmakers are setting the Americans as overwhelming -350 favorites.

Let's take a look at the latest betting line on this game. Remember, odds are always subject to change.

	Puck Line	Moneyline	Total
USA	-1.5 (-130)	-350	O 6 (-110)
Finland	+1.5 (+110)	+275	U 6 (-110)

This is the only game on second 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 Thursday's USA vs Finland 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.

Both Teams Hurting On Defense

The USA will be missing the country's best puck-moving defender. Silky smooth skater Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks will miss the tournament due to an oblique injury. He's the current holder of the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman, Jake Sanderson of the Ottawa Senators is taking his place on the roster.

Finland, meanwhile, is riddled with injury on the back end. Finland's defense has been depleted by injuries. Miro Heiskanen (knee) of the Dallas Stars, Jani Hakanpaa (knee) of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Rasmus Ristolainen (upper body) of the Philadelphia Flyers are out. All will be missing the entire tournament. In their place are Urho Vaakanainen of the Boston Bruins, Henri Jokiharju of the Buffalo Sabres and Nikolas Matinpalo of the Ottawa Senators.

You have to respect the Finns looking at their defense corps and deciding to run 5 forwards on the PP

They know what's up.

Aho
Laine-Hintz-Rantanen
Barkov

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) February 11, 2025

So depleted is the country's pool of talented rearguards that the Finns have been working in practice with five forwards - Sebastian Aho, Roope Hintz, Aleksander Barkov, Patrik Laine and Mikko Rantanen - on the first power-play unit.

USA Is Deep In All Areas

American coach Mike Sullivan announced Connor Hellebuyck as his opening-game goalie. The Winnipeg Jets netminder is on pace to win his third Vezina Trophy. Hellebuyck is leading the NHL in wins (34) and save percentage (.925).

Up front, the USA is so deep in scoring talent that Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin isn't even on the power play. He's second in the NHL in power-play goals this season.

Team USA 🇺🇸 Projected Lineup for Thursday's game vs. 🇫🇮

Starting Goalie 🥅:
Connor Hellebuyck ✅ pic.twitter.com/4Ayr99ZApa

— Daily Faceoff - Fantasy (@DFOFantasy) February 12, 2025

In Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel and Jack Hughes, the USA suits up three of the top 10 scorers in the NHL. And that doesn't even take into account the finishing skills of Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews. He's led the NHL in goals three times over the past four seasons. Twice, Matthews has hit the 60-goal plateau.

Finns Leaning Toward Past Performances

Finland coach Antti Pennanen is throwing the form charts out the window and opting to kick it old school with his roster decisions for the opener. Even though Juuse Saros is showing the worst NHL stats of the three Finnish netminders on the roster, the veteran puckstopper from the Nashville Predators is getting the opening-game start.

It's been a struggling season for the Predators and Saros is paying the price for those struggles. He's displaying an 11-23-6 record with a 2.95 goals-against average, .899 save percentage and four shutouts in 41 games.

He could go with Kevin Lankinen of the Vancouver Canucks (19-8-7 with 2.53 GAA, .905 save percentage and four shutouts in 34 games). Ukka-Pekka Lukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres (18-16-4 with a 3.02 GAA, .895 save percentage and two shutouts in 39 games) is also an option. Both are showing much better numbers this season than Saros. Still, Pennanen is opting to rely on the international experience that's on Saros' resume.

Pennanen is also making the choice to put Aho and Laine together in a forward unit. That duo played together for Finland in 2016 when the Finns won the IIHF World Junior Championship. They combined for 12 goals and 27 points in that tournament.

USA vs Finland 4 Nations Face-Off NHL Picks

Quite simply, the USA is too deep and too talented. The Americans will be too much for the understaffed Finns to handle.

USA To defeat Finland in 4 Nations Face-Off

-350

Bet Now!

You should definitely bet the USA to beat Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off NHL picks. And while you're at it, a play on the over on the total of six goals also wouldn't be a bad idea.

EXCLUSIVE BONUS