Olympic Hockey Picks Today: February 13-14
Switzerland vs. Canada
The spread represents an utter lack of respect for Switzerland that fails to account for its proven competitive potential. Of course, the Swiss just obliterated France 4-0. But, more impressively, they earned a silver medal at each of the last two hockey world championships. In 2024, they defeated Canada in the semifinals. In 2025, they lost in overtime to Team USA in the finals.
Switzerland owes much of its success to the chemistry that its players have built by taking advantage of international playing opportunities to play with each other more often. In a short tournament, such as this one, the Swiss benefit from already having a level of chemistry that other teams require time to attain.
They do also have NHL forwards, such as New Jersey’s Timo Meier with his 14 goals and 14 assists in the regular season, with which to complement their strong defensive track record. So, yes, we know that Canada has the star talent, but any belief that Canada can beat Switzerland by three or more goals must be predicated on an unjustified level of disrespect toward Switzerland’s proven scoring and defensive capabilities and toward its team-wide chemistry and record of international success.
Latvia vs. Germany
It will be easy for the Germans to win by two or more goals because they can score readily whereas Latvia cannot. Latvia’s NHL talent is so meager. Its NHL players include guys like Teddy Blueger who has five goals for the Canucks. At best, Zemgus Girgensons has seven goals for the Lightning. Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis have combined for seven goals in the regular season thus far. A Latvia defense that just allowed five goals to Team USA will have to contain a German offensive spearheaded by elite scorer Leon Draisaitl, who has 29 goals and 51 assists for the Oilers. It’s amazing that Tim Stutzle, who has 28 goals and 33 assists for the Senators, is not Germany’s best center. Led by these two versatile mega talents, Germany has the top-end talent to generate ample goal-scoring against Latvia. The Latvians lack sufficient firepower to keep pace.
| Matchup | Pick | Odds | Confidence Level | Sportsbook |
| Switzerland vs. Canada | Switzerland +3 | -120 | Highest | Bovada |
| Latvia vs. Germany | Germany -1.5 | EVEN | Highest | Bovada |
Switzerland vs. Canada
The spread represents an utter lack of respect for Switzerland that fails to account for its proven competitive potential. Of course, the Swiss just obliterated France 4-0. But, more impressively, they earned a silver medal at each of the last two hockey world championships. In 2024, they defeated Canada in the semifinals. In 2025, they lost in overtime to Team USA in the finals.
Switzerland owes much of its success to the chemistry that its players have built by taking advantage of international playing opportunities to play with each other more often. In a short tournament, such as this one, the Swiss benefit from already having a level of chemistry that other teams require time to attain.
They do also have NHL forwards, such as New Jersey’s Timo Meier with his 14 goals and 14 assists in the regular season, with which to complement their strong defensive track record. So, yes, we know that Canada has the star talent, but any belief that Canada can beat Switzerland by three or more goals must be predicated on an unjustified level of disrespect toward Switzerland’s proven scoring and defensive capabilities and toward its team-wide chemistry and record of international success.
Latvia vs. Germany
It will be easy for the Germans to win by two or more goals because they can score readily whereas Latvia cannot. Latvia’s NHL talent is so meager. Its NHL players include guys like Teddy Blueger who has five goals for the Canucks. At best, Zemgus Girgensons has seven goals for the Lightning. Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis have combined for seven goals in the regular season thus far. A Latvia defense that just allowed five goals to Team USA will have to contain a German offensive spearheaded by elite scorer Leon Draisaitl, who has 29 goals and 51 assists for the Oilers. It’s amazing that Tim Stutzle, who has 28 goals and 33 assists for the Senators, is not Germany’s best center. Led by these two versatile mega talents, Germany has the top-end talent to generate ample goal-scoring against Latvia. The Latvians lack sufficient firepower to keep pace.