🏒 Canada vs. USA Prediction, Odds: Olympic Hockey Final Best Bets (Feb. 22)

Teams with altogether different Olympic hockey histories meet in Sunday's gold medal game (8:10 a.m. ET, NBC, CBC), and my Canada vs. USA prediction features three best bets.  

Canada, the slight moneyline betting favorite (-113), won the previous two best-on-best Olympics, while the United States is one victory away from securing its first gold medal in 46 years. It's the final that most North Americans have been dreaming of since last year's epic 4 Nations-Face Off final, and I'm backing Canada, thanks in part to more Nathan MacKinnon heroics, to come up with another golden moment.

🏒 Canada vs. USA picks & odds: Feb. 22

Our expert Olympic hockey picks are based on the latest betting odds at the best sports betting sites.

Total wagered: 2.5 units | Max profit: 2.79 units

Check out Dustin Saracini's thoughts on Saturday's bronze medal game: Finland vs. Slovakia prediction

💰 Canada vs. USA prediction & best bet:  

Canada ML (-113)

The final will likely come down to two things: Which team is more disciplined, and who among the countless superstars on display will come up with the golden moment?

It's anyone's guess which team will take fewer penalties, but I'm giving the edge to Canada on the latter point. Only eight of Canada's players haven't won the Stanley Cup, while just four Americans have.

Also, Canada held the lead for just 5:29 in the quarter and semifinals, overcoming immense pressure and adversity to make the final. I expect them to score first and finally play with the lead, facilitating their most complete game.

Score prediction: Canada 3, USA 2

👊 Canada vs. USA: Why gold medal game will be similar to 4 Nations Face-Off final

While these loathed rivals would love to get chippy and carry on with extracurricular activities after the whistle, both teams understand the importance of staying out of the penalty box.

Even in the NHL-style rules of the 4 Nations Face-Off final, only one minor penalty was handed out. Canada had the only power play of the game, but failed to score. 

The Olympics have shown how prolific Canada and Team USA are with the man advantage:

• Canada is 7-for-16 on the power play (43.75%)
• Canada was 1-for-3 with the man advantage against Czechia in the quarterfinal and 2-for-4 against Finland in the semifinal
• The United States is 5-for-14 (36%)
• Team USA was 0-for-2 against Sweden in the quarterfinal and 1-for-5 against Slovakia in the semifinal. However, Jack Hughes scored 4 seconds after time expired on a second-period power play

Given how lethal both teams are on the power play, they will likely be incredibly disciplined. I expect the game to be settled 5-on-5.

🔥 Best Canada vs. USA player prop bet

Nathan MacKinnon anytime goal (+170)

Did you see MacKinnon's face after scoring the game-winning goal with just 36 seconds remaining against Finland? No smile, no smirk, all business. 

With Connor McDavid finding more success recently on his dishes, MacKinnon represents my best goal-scoring pick. The NHL's leading scorer (40 goals) has come to life at the Olympics, scoring in both elimination games. He has four goals in the tournament, tied for second-most behind teammate Macklin Celebrini. 

💡 How I'm betting Canada vs. USA

I'm most confident that Canada will win gold for the third straight time in the Olympics featuring NHL players. That's why I'm placing a full unit on the bet. 

The short odds on the total goals are the primary reason I'm going with a full unit and not a half. That amplifies the potential return. Instead of the .31-unit return on a half-unit wager, a full unit will facilitate a return of .62 units. 

The Under is appealing for numerous reasons: First, space will be almost impossible to conjure, and it will be a defense-first mentality. Connor Hellebuyck is the reigning Vezina Trophy winner, and Jordan Binnington saves his best for monumental moments. 

For my goal-scorer pick, MacKinnon is hot, hellbent on winning and playing like a man possessed. He's also on the ice a ton. Each unit represents a $10 bet. 

🇨🇦 Will Sidney Crosby play in final against USA? 

There has been no concrete update on Crosby's status for the Olympic final, with head coach Jon Cooper saying after the semifinal win:

"We have 48 hours to determine…he has a better chance of playing that than he did of playing today."

That's where we stand at the moment, no closer to knowing whether Captain Canada will suit up for what would be his third Olympic final. 

🇺🇸 Will Tage Thompson play in final against Canada? 

Tage Thompson didn't feature in the third period of Team USA's semifinal win over Slovakia. While the NBC broadcast said he didn't play for precautionary reasons, Thompson doesn't have much time to recover from whatever ails him. 

Thompson has been particularly effective on the power play, with the giant power forward causing havoc in front of the net while offering a formidable threat from the left half-circle. He has three goals and one assist in four games and two periods at the Milano Cortina Games. 

📈 Canada vs. USA odds

Here is the Canada vs. USA odds via FanDuel:

📺 How to watch Canada vs. USA

• Date: Sunday, Feb. 22
• Puck drop: 8:10 a.m. ET
• Location: Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena (Milan, Italy)
• TV: CBC, CBC Gem, Peacock, NBC