Canada vs USA World Juniors Gold Medal Game Odds, Picks, and How to Watch

metivim (46)in #hockey • 4 years ago

Canada (6-0) is a 1.5-goal favorite against USA (5-1) in Tuesday’s gold medal game (9:30 PM EST) at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Alberta
USA defeated Finland 4-3 on a late goal by Arthur Kaliyev to reach the gold medal game, while Canada downed Russia 5-0
Here are the odds, the best bet, and information on how to watch the game

Dominant Canada is a 1.5-goal favorite against USA going into Tuesday’s gold medal game at the World Junior Championships in Edmonton, Alberta. The game will be broadcast on NHL Network.

The Canadians and Americans have met for the gold medal three times over the past 20 years at the WJC, and USA has won all three meetings (2004, 2010 and 2017).

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In the four preliminary games and two medal round games, Canada has outscored opponents 41-4. The Canadians are trying to become the first country to win back-to-back gold medals at the WJC since Canada won five in a row from 2005 to 2009. The Americans are deep in NHL prospects.

Canada Thus Far Has No Equal

To understand how dominant Canada has been at this tournament, consider that the Canadians have yet to give up an even-strength goal. They have outscored opponents 34-0 in 5-on-5 situations.

The Canadians, boasting 19 first-round NHL draft picks, have also never trailed in this tournament.

Canada beat Russia 5-0 to reach the gold medal game. The same Russians defeated USA 5-3 in the preliminary round.

Buffalo Sabres prospect Dylan Cozens leads Canada and the tournament in scoring with eight goals and eight assists for 16 points. But other Canadians are playing as well as Cozens. The forward group always looks dangerous, and the Canadian defense is stingy with scoring chances. Canada’s goaltending has been exceptional.
Americans Also Have a Swagger

USA’s Trevor Zegras (Anaheim Ducks) boasts 25 points in 10 games of WJC competition. Cole Caufield is considered one of Montreal’s best prospects. Defenseman Jake Sanderson was drafted fifth overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2020 draft.

Goalie Spencer Knight was drafted 13th overall by the Florida Panthers in 2019.

As impressive as Canada has been, the Americans don’t see themselves as underdogs. USA is also rich in future NHL talent, The Americans weren’t at their best in losing their opening game to Russia, but they played better and better as the tournament wore on.

USA defeated the Finns 4-3 in the semifinals, and that was impressive as Canada’s win against Russia. The Finns had won three of the past seven WJC. The Finns are known for their ability to battle from behind. They did it against the Swedes in the quarterfinals.

Levi Steals Goaltending Spotlight

Russia’s Jaroslav Askarov (Nashville Predators) and USA’s Knight were supposed to be the most dominant goalies at this WJC. Both of them are prize NHL prospects.

But the goalie everyone has been talking about at this tournament is Canada’s Devon Levi who is a seventh-round pick of the Panthers. He stopped 28 shots against the Russians, and no opponent has beaten him at even strength.

In six games, Levi owns three shutouts, a 0.53 goals-against average, and a .974 save percentage. He’s a technically sound goalie who swallows pucks that reach his net. Knight has gotten the job done for the Americans, but Askarov looked shaky in Russia’s loss to Canada.
Canadians Have a Slight Edge

This might be one of the most talented rosters the Canadians have ever put together for the WJC. But the Americans also have moxie demonstrated by their gritty win against Finland. This should be a one-goal game. An empty netter could be the difference between winning or losing the bet.

Pick: Canada -1.5 (-117)

'Getting shivers about it': Londoner ready for gold medal game vs. USA

LONDON, ONT. -- Bob Martin has been inside Team Canada's World Junior bubble for the past 54 days. That ends Tuesday night when Canada faces the USA for the gold medal.

"I'm getting shivers about it," says Martin, who is acting as security liaison for Canada for the seventh straight year. "We have the game tonight and I'm excited as the players and everyone at home."

The former OPP officer is as friendly a person as you'll meet, and his positive demeanor is perfect for his role.

"What helps me is knowing the running of a junior hockey game," says Martin. "I make my way around the dressing room and check on coaches, trainers, physiotherapists and interact with the players quite a bit. My number one goal is to keep players upbeat and ready to go."

I doesn't take much to get the players geared up for a gold medal game against the USA.

It's the 48th time they've met head-to-head and the fifth in a championship game.

Canada won the first in 1997, blanking the USA 2-0, but the Americans have taken the last three, all of them thrillers.

"The next best thing to Canada-Russia in the semifinals is Canada-USA for gold," says Jon Abbott, an Aylmer, Ont. native who is hosting the game for TSN Radio.

"It’s a rematch of 2017 which the U.S. won in a dramatic shootout and these countries are always fun to watch, especially when both are playing so well."

Abbott says the saddest part about Tuesday night's contest is that there are no fans in the stands in Edmonton, Alta. to watch it live.

However, he says the entire country can be on board watching as players from provinces coast to coast are represented.

"I do think Canada's deeper, more skilled and more talented," says Abbott.

"We know the big U.S. stars, but I think Canada's depth in forward and defence wins out."

Martin says the kids are 'dialed in' the same way they were under Dale Hunter a year ago. It's been a long 54 days in the bubble waiting for the final, but Martin says he did get a boost to push him to the finish line this week.

His son Colin surprised him with a visit outside the arena.

"Colin's wife Cassidy's parents are from the Edmonton area," says Martin. "The original plan was for everyone to come and visit and stay here for the tournament. Colin gave me a shout to come to a walkway over to the rink. I looked down and saw Colin, Cassidy, Marlee (Bob's granddaughter) and they had a sign that said 'Go Grandpa' and 'Go Team Canada.' It brought a few tears to my eyes, to tell you the truth."

The excitement is palpable as game time approaches and the vibe is making its way inside the bubble.

"The well-wishers have been unbelievable," says Martin.

"Throughout our conversation my phone has buzzed seven to eight times. I can't thank the people more for the support and hopefully we can bring that gold medal back to you."

Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. EST. You can hear the game on Newstalk 1290 CJBK in London, Ont, and watch it on TSN.: https://steemit.com/news/@metivim/what-tv-channel-is-canada-vs-usa-on-today-schedule-time-for-2021-world-juniors-gold-medal-game

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4 years ago in #hockey by metivim (46)

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