On paper, Canada’s 5-0 win over Finland was its most impressive, but it took a while for the Maple Leafs to get out of first gear in that contest, and they only outshot the Finns 23-17.
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our Team USA, which was an odds-on favorite to win the gold medal before play started, will take on Sweden in one semifinal, while Canada will meet Switzerland in the other.
The coaches and players will say you can’t ever overlook any opponent in a competition like this, but it would be a monumental shock if we don’t see another installment of USA vs. Canada in Thursday’s gold medal game.While the United States has rampaged through the tournament, including a 5-0 drubbing of Canada last week, the Canadians have looked a step behind, relatively speaking.Canada cleaned up its act by throttling Finland and Germany by a combined 10-1 to reach the semifinals, but they’ve yet to have that statement game you look for out of a heavyweight in a field like this. On paper, Canada’s 5-0 win over Finland was its most impressive, but it took a while for the Maple Leafs to get out of first gear in that contest, and they only outshot the Finns 23-17.This may sound like nitpicking considering Canada is one win away from the final, and they’ve outscored opponents 19-7 through their first five contests, but that’s how it feels. They’re looking over their shoulder at Team USA, which boasts a plus-25 goal difference despite playing nearly the same exact schedule. All of this is to say that Canada’s game against Switzerland may be about sending a message across the 49th parallel as much as it is about beating the Swiss. That may sound like a stretch, and it could come off as disrespectful to Switzerland, but that’s how this stage is set.The Canadians have been desperate to make their mark in this tournament and put a shot across Team USA’s bow, but they’ve only got one more shot to do so before a presumptive meeting with the Stars and Stripes in the finale. But it’s not just the off-ice posturing that makes me believe that Canada can cover this 4.5-goal spread, and then some, there is also concrete evidence pointing toward this being a laugher. The Canadians already defeated Team Switzerland, 4-0, in the tournament-opener, but that scoreline is quite deceiving. The hockey world was critical of Canada’s performance in that contest because it was only ahead 1-0 after 40 minutes. That wasn’t for lack of dominating, though.Turns out, a lot of teams have had that issue in this tournament.She is coming off a 40-save performance in a 1-0 win over Finland in the quarterfinals, and owns a .944 save percentage through five games, two of which came against Team USA and Canada.A hot goaltender can take you places in hockey, but relying on your netminder to stand on her head night in and night out is not a winning formula, especially against a team that just got a good look at her a week ago.Olympian’s gold medal hopes dashed as he’s disqualified over size of his ski bootsThey don’t ask how; they ask how many.Look for Marie-Philip Poulin and the Canadians to get ahead early and pile on. Backing Canada -4.5 is a fine bet, but don’t be afraid to look for some alternate spreads, as I think there’s a chance we see Canada threaten double digits Monday.Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.
Sports Olympics Sports Betting Sports Picks Winter Olympics Winter Olympics 2026
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Bet365 Bonus Code COVERS: Get $150 Bonus for Canada vs. France, 2026 Winter GamesGet $150 in bonus bets for Canada vs France with bet365 bonus code COVERS. Bet $5 on Winter Games action, win or lose on Feb. 15.
Read more »
FanDuel Promo Code: Claim $100 Bonus for Canada vs. France, 2026 Winter GamesNo FanDuel promo code needed for Canada vs France. Bet $5, get $100 bonus bets if your wager wins on Feb. 15.
Read more »
Latest DraftKings Promo Code for Canada vs. France: Get $300 Bonus for 2026 Winter GamesNo DraftKings promo code needed for $300 bonus bets when you bet $5 and win on Canada vs. France at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
Read more »
Caesars Sportsbook Promo Code COVERS250BM: Get $250 Bonus for Canada vs. France, 2026 Winter GamesGet up to $250 with Caesars Sportsbook promo code COVERS250BM for Canada vs France at 2026 Winter Games. New users only, bet match offer.
Read more »
Underdog Promo Code COVERS: Get $75 Bonus for Canada vs. France, 2026 Winter GamesUse Underdog promo code COVERS for $75 in fantasy bonus entries when Canada faces France at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan.
Read more »
Fanatics Sportsbook Promo: Get $1,000 FanCash for Canada vs. France, 2026 Winter GamesFanatics Sportsbook promo code not needed for Canada vs France betting. Get up to $1,000 in FanCash with 10-day bet match offer.
Read more »