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Andrew Rogers
Canada vs. Czech Republic Prediction: 2019 IIHF World Hockey Championship Odds
Canada is the favourite to advance to the IIHF World Championship – but will need to show better form than it did in its previous game if it hopes to upend the Czech Republic in semifinal action on Saturday. The Canadians needed overtime to dispatch Switzerland 3-2 in quarterfinal play after tying the game with just 0.4 seconds left in regulation, while the Czech Republic cruised to a 5-1 triumph over Germany in their Round of 8 matchup.
World Hockey Championship Betting Analysis
The Canadians aren’t expected to run away with this one by any measure as a -162 moneyline favourite and at +165 0n the -1.5-goal handicap. The teams not only finished with matching 6-1 records in preliminary round play, but they also boasted identical +25 goal differentials along the way. The Czechs’ only loss to date came in the form of a 3-0 setback to Group B champion and tournament favourite Russia, while Canada fell 3-1 to Finland in their opening game of the competition.
Oddsmakers are expecting goals to be at a bit of a premium in this one, with the total set at a conservative 5.5. Each of Canada’s previous three games have gone below that threshold, thanks in large part to the Canadians having surrendered just two goals over that stretch. The Czechs, meanwhile, have seen six or more total goals scored in seven of their eight tournament games so far, with only that loss to Russia finishing under.
Team Canada
The Canadians sure missed having Anthony Mantha in the lineup. The Detroit Red Wings forward, who sits tied for the team and tournament lead in goals with seven, was forced to miss Canada’s quarterfinal win over Switzerland following an illegal hit in a game against the United States. Consider Mantha when looking at player goal props here; both he and Mark Stone (seven goals in eight games) are excellent choices to convert Saturday.
Team Czech Republic
The Czechs have no shortage of goal-scoring options themselves after finishing the preliminary round with a whopping 39 goals, second only to Sweden among the 16 participating teams. The Czech offence is led by Michael Frolik, who has a team-best seven goals and seven assists through eight games. Jakub Voracek leads the team with 16 points, including 12 assists, and had a pair of goals against Canada netminder Matt Murray this past NHL season.