Olympic Hockey Picks Today: February 14-15
Denmark vs. USA
In its Olympic opener, Team USA had a rough start because players had to get used to each other and to the differences between NHL hockey and Olympic hockey. These differences, which include the dimensions of the rink and necessary tactical approaches, were Team USA’s primary obstacle when they ultimately beat Latvia by four goals. Accumulating 22 more scoring chances than Latvia, the Americans likely deserved to win by more goals.
Their opponent, Denmark, lost their opener 3-1 against Germany. The Danes struggled with Germany’s top-end talent and depth. One has to wonder how they could possibly, then, handle the Americans’ superior scoring talent. Team USA thrives on the elite play-making of Jack Eichel, the presence of the well-sized Tage Thompson in front of the net, and the different skills of fellow highly-ranked goal-scorer Matt Boldy, speedster Kyle Connor, and others. The size, speed, and athletic talent of Team USA’s many NHL stars will overwhelm a Danish team that couldn’t handle the Germans.
And yet defense is arguably Team USA’s best quality, as it boasts the world’s top defensemen, such as James Norris Memorial Trophy winner Quinn Hughes. Denmark’s offense mustered one goal against Germany and faces a much tougher test now. I’m expecting zero goals from Denmark here. Team USA will cruise to five or six goals.
Czechia vs. Switzerland
The wrong team is favored in this matchup. The Czechs are too weak defensively. They gave up three goals to lowly France, a team that Switzerland shut out in its 4-0 opening win. Czechia struggled to contain Louis Boudon, an AHL player who scored two goals against them. Switzerland boasts dangerous scoring talents, such as Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils, who has 14 goals and 14 assists in the NHL regular season thus far. And yet the Swiss are known primarily for their defense. Their defensive structure minimizes dangerous chances. The coordination between players facilitates effective transitioning from defense to offense. After getting a scare from France, the Czechs will find themselves overwhelmed against what is a superior Swiss opponent that will only scare away bettors who just saw powerhouse Canada beat them by four goals and who forget that Canada beat Czechia by five goals.
| Matchup | Pick | Odds | Confidence Level | Sportsbook |
| Denmark vs. USA | USA -4 | -125 | Highest | Bovada |
| Czechia vs. Switzerland | Switzerland ML | +105 | Highest | Bovada |
Denmark vs. USA
In its Olympic opener, Team USA had a rough start because players had to get used to each other and to the differences between NHL hockey and Olympic hockey. These differences, which include the dimensions of the rink and necessary tactical approaches, were Team USA’s primary obstacle when they ultimately beat Latvia by four goals. Accumulating 22 more scoring chances than Latvia, the Americans likely deserved to win by more goals.
Their opponent, Denmark, lost their opener 3-1 against Germany. The Danes struggled with Germany’s top-end talent and depth. One has to wonder how they could possibly, then, handle the Americans’ superior scoring talent. Team USA thrives on the elite play-making of Jack Eichel, the presence of the well-sized Tage Thompson in front of the net, and the different skills of fellow highly-ranked goal-scorer Matt Boldy, speedster Kyle Connor, and others. The size, speed, and athletic talent of Team USA’s many NHL stars will overwhelm a Danish team that couldn’t handle the Germans.
And yet defense is arguably Team USA’s best quality, as it boasts the world’s top defensemen, such as James Norris Memorial Trophy winner Quinn Hughes. Denmark’s offense mustered one goal against Germany and faces a much tougher test now. I’m expecting zero goals from Denmark here. Team USA will cruise to five or six goals.
Czechia vs. Switzerland
The wrong team is favored in this matchup. The Czechs are too weak defensively. They gave up three goals to lowly France, a team that Switzerland shut out in its 4-0 opening win. Czechia struggled to contain Louis Boudon, an AHL player who scored two goals against them. Switzerland boasts dangerous scoring talents, such as Timo Meier of the New Jersey Devils, who has 14 goals and 14 assists in the NHL regular season thus far. And yet the Swiss are known primarily for their defense. Their defensive structure minimizes dangerous chances. The coordination between players facilitates effective transitioning from defense to offense. After getting a scare from France, the Czechs will find themselves overwhelmed against what is a superior Swiss opponent that will only scare away bettors who just saw powerhouse Canada beat them by four goals and who forget that Canada beat Czechia by five goals.