2019 IIHF World Juniors New Year’s Eve Odds & Picks: Canada-Russia Showdown

• Canada has won three of its last four IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship Games against Russia
• The USA is 4-1 in its last five world junior games against Finland
• See the odds for all four games on December 31st

New Year’s Eve features four World Junior games on schedule, including Canada vs Russia and Finland vs USA.

The political overtones may not be the same as they once were, but whenever Canada and Russia strap on the blades in world junior hockey, the passion remains a constant.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6riMXjke1Q

Russia owns a 20-18-2 lead in the all-time world junior series against Canada, but that mark comes with a caveat. The Russians won the first seven meetings between the two teams.

Canada holds a 7-3 advantage in the past 10 games, but just a 4-3 edge in the last seven contests.

Canada vs Russia Odds

*All odds taken 12/30

Start Time: 8pm EST
Canada remains the -105 favorite to win the gold medal on home ice, while the Russians are the co-fourth betting choice with Sweden at +700.

Based on head-to-head matchups, you have to give the 3-0 Canadians a significant edge.

Canada drubbed Denmark 14-0, while the 2-0 Russians were only 4-0 victors over the Danes. Russia edged the Czech Republic 2-1, and Canada handled the Czechs 5-1 on Saturday.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meqJp9w4nGk

Captain Maxime Comtois leads Canada with five goals and Morgan Frost is tops with seven points. Defenseman Alexander Romanov leads Russia with 1-2-3 totals

All is not coming up roses for the Canadians, though.

Forward Alexis Lafreniere, expected to be the top player chosen in the 2020 NHL entry draft, has played his way into coach Tim Hunter’s doghouse, and Detroit Red Wings prospect Joe Veleno, who has been tearing up the QMJHL this season, was also dropped down the forward line groupings.

Canada best be careful on the power play. Opportunistic Russia scored both its goals while shorthanded in the 2-1 win over the Czechs.

Pick: Canada (-325), over 6.5 (-125)

Finland vs USA Odds

Start Time: 10:30pm EST
The player that everyone came to see in this tournament has gone out of sight.

USA forward Jack Hughes, consensus No. 1 overall choice for the 2019 NHL entry draft, has missed the last two games due to an undisclosed injury.

Forward won't suit up Saturday night vs. Sweden due to undisclosed injuryhttps://t.co/nQqkgvSzWW

— Hockey Night in Canada (@hockeynight) December 29, 2018

After a close 2-1 verdict over Slovakia to open the tournament, the 2-1 Americans throttled Kazakhstan 8-2, with F Joe Farabee netting a natural hat trick, before falling 5-4 in overtime to Sweden.

Team USA has won three of four from the Finns (2-1), but all three wins were one-goal decisions. The Americans are 8-1 in their last nine games against Finland.

Finnish F Eeli Tolvanen is off to a slow start. The Nashville Predators first-round pick, favored to lead the tournament in goals, is still looking for his first goal.

Pick: USA (-165), under 6.5 (-115)

Czech Republic vs Denmark Odds

Start Time: 4pm EST
The 0-3 Danes remain in pursuit of their first goal of the tournament, showing a goal differential of minus-22.

In search of offense for his 1-2 team, Czech coach Vaclav Varada reunited his top line of last year’s tourney, putting Filip Zadina back with Martin Necas and Martin Kaut.

Pick: Czech Republic (-800), over 6.5 (-130)

Kazakhstan vs Sweden Odds

Start Time: 6:30pm EST
The Swedes have won 47 consecutive round-robin games dating back to the 2007 world junior tourney. The Kazakhs are 0-2 and have been outscored 13-2.

Pick: Sweden (no line), over 7.5 (-115)