The IIHF World Junior Championships get started today and the biggest game of the day would have to be the rivalry between Canada and Russia kicking off the tournament. Canada is often the pre tournament favourite, but this year that honour and responsibility goes to the United States who are the defending champions and have plenty of returning talent. You can take Canada to win the tournament at +140 (Sportsbook.com), while Russia comes in ranked fourth in terms of the odds with a +700 (Sportsbook.com) line to win the tournament. On to todays game and the prediction:
Canada vs Russia
Olivier Roy is getting the start for team Canada after playing 1 of the 3 pre tournament games. The 4-1 victory over a formidable Sweden squad. Russia will once again start Bobkov, who played well for them last year, but has since lost his starting job with the London Knights this season. That being said Bobkov is a big 240 pound goaltender who can have big games on big occasions.
Team Canada will be looking to score by committee this year, with perhaps Brayden Schenn the biggest name at forward for the team and captain Ryan Ellis will look to get on the score sheet while quarterbacking the power play in his third year with the team. Canada has many high draft picks from recent years on the team including 3rd overall Erik Gudbranson, 4th overall Ryan Johansen, 5th overall Brayden Schenn and 6th overall Brett Connolly (not all from the same years). Canada will be without Matt Duchene, Evander Kane, Ryan O’Reilly, Kyle Clifford, Taylor Hall, Tyler Seguin and Jeff Skinner this year, all of which are playing in the National Hockey League at the moment. Just imaging the Canadian team if these players were available!
Vladimir Tarasenko is the highest draft pick playing for the Russians this year (16th overall in 2010). He will be looked to for offense on the Russian team. Burmistrov, who is currently playing for the Thrashers was the only player not made available to the Russian team.
Canada should have the more talented and effective team in todays game, but will they be able to overcome the 2.5 goal spread that Sportsbook.com is offering. Here are the odds:
Canada -2.5 (+140)
Russia +2.5 (-180)
My Pick: Russia +2.5 (-180) – Sportsbook.com
The Russians may have been underestimated coming into this tournament and they should at least be able to keep it close against team Canada. Even though Canada beat Sweden, who is likely a higher quality team than Russia, 4-1 the refs seemed to be on Canadas side in that game and the empty net goal made it 4-1. I expect Canada to win this game by 1 goal, but Russia to beat the spread.
Check back daily for more World Junior Championship predictions, along with our usual NHL predictions! Here at NHL Betting Tips we are Canadian, so needless to say we are very interested in seeing if Canada can regain their title of Junior Champions.
Written by: Niko de Jonge
Tagged with: Betting • Canada • Championships • Hockey • IIHF • Odds • predictions • Russia • World Junior