2019 IIHF U20 World Juniors Boxing Day Game Odds and Picks
- Canada opens defense of its IIHF World Junior Championship title against Denmark
- Defending bronze medalist US opens against Slovakia
- See the odds for all games on Boxing Day
The IIHF World Junior Championship has become a staple of holiday tradition, as connected within the season as festive lights and a Christmas tree.
It’s Boxing Day, it’s North America, and that means only one thing – North Americans will be glued to their television sets as the tournament gets underway in British Columbia, Canada.
Game on! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/4cWBFtcncQ
— #WorldJuniors (@WorldJuniors) December 24, 2018
The Canadians get a soft touch for openers in minnow Denmark.
There’s a tougher test to start for the American squad, though. Team USA and dynamic forward Jack Hughes, certain to be the first-overall choice of the 2019 NHL entry draft, face off against Slovakia.
The Slovakians upset the Americans in last year’s tournament in Buffalo.
There are four games slated on opening day of the event.
Slovakia vs USA Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovakia | +1000 | +4.5 (-140) | O 7.5 (+105) |
| USA | -4000 | -4.5 (+110) | U 7.5 (-135) |
*All odds taken 12/24
Puck drop: 6:30pm EST
All eyes will be on Hughes, similar to 2016, when consensus first-overall choice Auston Matthews led the Americans.
The USA roster is loaded at all positions and return five players from last year’s bronze medal-winning squad, including D Quinn Hughes, older brother of Jack.
The Americans have taken home medals from the last three world juniors and the last time the tourney was held in Canada, the USA won the gold medal.
#Canucks prospect Quinn Hughes discusses his fight, the #WorldJuniors, his brother, Elias Pettersson and Michael DiPietro. #USAWJC pic.twitter.com/8zw6kORHFO
— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) December 23, 2018
The Slovaks stunned the Americans 3-2 at last year’s tourney, but don’t expect lightning to strike twice. Defenseman Martin Fehervary is playing in his third world junior.
Pick: USA (-4000), under (7.5)
Denmark vs Canada Odds
| Teams | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | no line | +7.5 (-105) | O 9.5 (-115) |
| Canada | no line | -7.5 (-125) | U 9.5 (-115) |
Puck drop: 8pm EST
Canada won it all last year, but return just one one player from that group, forward Max Comtois, an Anaheim Ducks prospect.
It hasn’t been a great build up to the tournament for Canada, which lost its final tune up game 5-2 to Finland, but the Canadians always show up when it matters.
Game over. 🇨🇦 closes out its pre-tournament schedule with a 5-2 loss to 🇫🇮 in Vancouver. Game stats: https://t.co/8J1VHM2MYB #WorldJuniors #REPRESENT pic.twitter.com/z1KpvQnlUD
— #WorldJuniors (@WorldJuniors) December 24, 2018
Canada will be fast and strong up front, with a lineup that includes Alexis Lafreniere, anticipated to be the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL entry draft.
He’s just the seventh 17-year-old to play for Canada in the world junior, a group that also includes Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Eric Lindros.
The Danes shouldn’t offer much of a challenge.
Denmark barely survived relegation to the B pool a year ago, and it figures to be a busy night for goalie Mads Sogaard, who is expected to go into the 2019 NHL draft.
Even at 9.5, the over on the total is an enticing wager.
Pick: Canada (no line); over (9.5)
Switzerland vs Czech Republic Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | +205 | +1.5 (-125) | O 6.5 (-125) |
| Czech Republic | -280 | -1.5 (-105) | U 6.5 (-105) |
Puck drop: 4pm EST
The Czechs were fourth a year ago, and return forwards Martin Necas, who shared the tournament scoring lead with 11 points, and Filip Zadina, second in the tourney with seven goals.
Like the Danes, the Swiss will just hope to survive relegation. This one should be a blowout.
Pick: Czech Republic (-305), over (6.5)
Sweden vs Finland Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | +110 | +1.5 (-260) | O 5.5 (-110) |
| Finland | -145 | -1.5 (+195) | U 5.5 (-120) |
Puck drop: 10:30pm EST
Sweden won the silver medal a year ago, falling 3-1 to Canada in the final. But this will be a much different Swedish team than a year ago.
Defense is their strength, although they lost Timothy Liljegren to injury.
Canadian fan gets autograph from penalized Finnish player… end of tournament highlight reel #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/l9VitVzd7W
— David Nestico (@davidnestico200) December 24, 2018
The Finns got a huge boost when the Nashville Predators loaned them forward Eeli Tolvanen. He is the +650 chalk to lead the tournament in scoring.
Pick: Finland (-150), under (5.5)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
