Olympic Hockey Odds & Predictions: Which Teams Will Advance to Semis, Win a Medal?

Wednesday is quarterfinal day at the Milano Cortina Games, and my Olympic hockey odds and predictions explore which of the eight teams will advance to the semifinal and eventually win a medal. 

Canada is the minus-money betting favorite to win its third straight gold medal at best-on-best Olympics, with Team USA receiving the second-shortest odds. Will we get to see a replay of last year's 4 Nations Face-Off final, or does one of the other accomplished hockey nations have a surprise in store?

🏒 Olympic hockey odds 

The below odds are via FanDuel, one of the best sports betting sites. 

🔮 Olympic hockey quarterfinal predictions

Four mouthwatering quarterfinals await, and we have you covered for all of them. Here's Wednesday's quarterfinals schedule: 

• (3) Slovakia vs. (6) Germany, 6:10 a.m. (Peacock, CBC Gem) -- Santagiulia Arena
• (1) Canada vs. (8) Czechia, 10:40 a.m. (Peacock, CBC Gem) -- Santagiulia Arena
• (4) Finland vs. (5) Switzerland, 12:10 p.m. (Peacock, CBC Gem) -- RHO Arena
• (2) United States vs. (7) Sweden, 3:10 p.m (Peacock, CBC Gem) -- Santagiulia Arena

🇸🇰 Slovakia vs. 🇩🇪 Germany prediction

Our Liam Fox backs Slovakia in his Slovakia vs. Germany prediction. Here's what he said about the contest: 

"Slovakia has been the breakout team of the Olympics, going 2-1 in the preliminary round and scoring at least three goals in every game to win a difficult group over Finland and Sweden. They've proven that their bronze medal performance at the 2022 Games was no fluke, led by Juraj Slafkovsky and his 10 career Olympic goals."

Prediction: Slovakia ML (-102)

🇨🇦 Canada vs. 🇨🇿 Czechia prediction

Fox is back at it again with his Canada vs. Czechia prediction, and he expects the tournament's most dominant team thus far to run over Czechia for a second time in less than a week. 

Canada won the first meeting 5-0, and here's what Fox has to say about Wednesday's quarterfinal: 

"A second crack at Canada won't grant Czechia any new opportunities to attack the field's most talented team. Canada has won every game this tournament by at least four goals, including a 5-0 victory over Czechia in the opener.

Look for the Canadians to roll the Czechs in a blowout once again to advance."

Prediction: Canada -3.5 (+125)

🇫🇮 Finland vs. 🇨🇭 Switzerland prediction

I'm backing Finland to win by at least two goals, and I explain why in my Finland vs. Switzerland prediction. 

Here's a few of the main takeaways: 

"Finland has looked every part a medal contender since finding its groove in the second game of the tournament against Sweden. I love their offensive balance and chemistry, along with solid defensive players throughout the lineup. Five players have two goals, tied for the team lead."

Prediction: Finland -1.5 (+118)

🇺🇸 USA vs. 🇸🇪 Sweden prediction

Sweden has improved substantially since losing 4-1 to Finland. Tre Kronor played well for most of the game against Slovakia and enjoyed its first complete performance in the playoff qualifier against Latvia. 

Team USA, meanwhile, played in the weakest group. It dominated for the most part, but had moments against Denmark and Germany where it didn't look like the world beater it's touted as. And I think that playing on back-to-back days will benefit Sweden, with the extra rest potentially harming America's rhythm and chemistry .

Sweden will be up for this contest, which makes me believe it will keep things close. 

Prediction: Sweden +1.5 (-110)

🏅 Which teams will win a medal?

The main question is whether Sweden can upset Team USA in the quarterfinal and advance to the semifinals for the third time in the last four attempts at best-on-best Olympics. 

While I expect Tre Kronor to put forth a valiant attempt, Team USA should escape with the win. That will pave a path to the final that most people in North America have clamored for since last year's 4 Nations Face-Off final. 

🥇 Olympic hockey gold medal pick: Canada 

It will take one heck of an off night to prevent this wagon from winning gold. Considering Canada beat Team USA in overtime in the 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2010 Vancouver Games, there is a somewhat foreboding prospect of encountering poor puck luck. 

But unless Jordan Binnington implodes or most players underperform, I'm expecting a third successive Olympic championship in best-on-best events for the Great White North.

Best odds: -140 via DraftKings 

🥈 Olympic hockey silver medal pick: USA  

Matthew Tkachuk's recent chirp of Leon Draisaitl comes to mind: "Always a bridesmaid." Add "at the international level" to that quote, and it refers to Team USA. Soon, it could also extend to the Bash Brothers and the rest of the current collective.  

Best odds: +195 via FanDuel 

🥉 Olympic hockey bronze medal pick: Finland 

Finland did itself a proper service by finishing ahead of Sweden in the preliminary round. A win against Switzerland puts them in another bronze medal game at the very worst. I've been raving about Finland for a long time, and I'm still on board. 

Finland aims for its fourth medal in a row at best-on-best Olympics, a feat I reckon it will achieve. 

Best odds: +260 via FanDuel