The Canadian men’s hockey team is a big favourite against Switzerland on Friday after a dominant return to Olympic best-on-best play.
The pregame narrative: Canada blew the doors off Czechia in Thursday’s round-robin opener but suffered a big injury on defence. Josh Morrissey exited in the second period, and it’s unclear whether he will be available for Jon Cooper’s squad moving forward.
Check out our Canada vs. Switzerland preview and betting odds for the game on Feb. 13 at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Canada is -1,400 on the moneyline as of Thursday afternoon. That means bettors would have to wager $1,400 to net $100 of profit.
That marks the second straight game where the Red and White were -1,000 favourites or shorter. Once again, the puck line is set at 2.5, with odds shaded toward Canada (-143).
Switzerland picked up a 4-0 shutout win of its own over France to open group stage play.
The Swiss have a strong NHL contingent on their roster, headlined by New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier and Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi.
Leonardo Genoni, who won MVP at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship after leading the tournament in GAA and save percentage, made 27 saves for his first Olympic shutout.
The Canadian men’s hockey team is a big favourite against Switzerland on Friday after a dominant return to Olympic best-on-best play.
The pregame narrative: Canada blew the doors off Czechia in Thursday’s round-robin opener but suffered a big injury on defence. Josh Morrissey exited in the second period, and it’s unclear whether he will be available for Jon Cooper’s squad moving forward.
Check out our Canada vs. Switzerland preview and betting odds for the game on Feb. 13 at 3:10 p.m. ET.
Canada is -530 on the moneyline as of Thursday afternoon. That means bettors would have to wager $530 to net $100 of profit.
That marks the second straight game where the Red and White were -500 favourites or shorter. Once again, the puck line is set at 2.5, with odds shaded toward Canada (-121).
Switzerland picked up a 4-0 shutout win of its own over France to open group stage play.
The Swiss have a strong NHL contingent on their roster, headlined by New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier and Norris Trophy winner Roman Josi.
Leonardo Genoni, who won MVP at the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship after leading the tournament in GAA and save percentage, made 27 saves for his first Olympic shutout.
Two spiralling Canadian teams meet on Saturday night when the Vancouver Canucks host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The pregame narrative: Vancouver sits dead last in the NHL with just 18 wins in 54 games. Toronto, meanwhile, has lost six straight and is on track to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The Maple Leafs are a slight road favourite in William Nylander’s anticipated return.
Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Canucks prop picks for Jan. 31, featuring Nylander and Jake DeBrusk.
The Maple Leafs have three games left before the Olympic break, all against Canadian teams.
It’s hard to imagine the sentiment in Toronto changing from “blow it up” to “stay the course” if the Leafs don’t run the table.
Nylander could help make that happen.
The Swedish winger was on fire before suffering a groin injury against the Vegas Golden Knights two weeks ago. He had scored in five of six games, with six total goals in that span.
Overall, Nylander has 17 goals in 37 games and is fresh off a career-best 45-goal season.
He is projected to skate alongside John Tavares and Matias Maccelli tonight, per Daily Faceoff. That trio should wreak havoc against Vancouver.
The Canucks allow the most goals per game (3.61).
The rank in the bottom-10 in save percentage (.888).
Vancouver gives up the third-most high-danger chances against per 60 (13.79), according to Natural Stat Trick.
Key stat: Nylander has three goals in his last four games against Vancouver.
Best NHL prop picks
DeBrusk to score 1+ points (-110): DeBrusk tormented the Maple Leafs as a member of the Boston Bruins and is Vancouver’s third-leading scorer this year.
That’s not saying too much, though, as he has 28 points in 53 games.
The winger is on a nice run at the moment, though, with six points in his last five games. In that span, he is 4-1 against this line.
Two spiralling Canadian teams meet on Saturday night when the Vancouver Canucks host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The pregame narrative: Vancouver sits dead last in the NHL with just 18 wins in 54 games. Toronto, meanwhile, has lost six straight and is on track to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The Maple Leafs are a slight road favourite in William Nylander’s anticipated return.
Check out my Maple Leafs vs. Canucks prop picks for Jan. 31, featuring Nylander and Jake DeBrusk.
The Maple Leafs have three games left before the Olympic break, all against Canadian teams.
It’s hard to imagine the sentiment in Toronto changing from “blow it up” to “stay the course” if the Leafs don’t run the table.
Nylander could help make that happen.
The Swedish winger was on fire before suffering a groin injury against the Vegas Golden Knights two weeks ago. He had scored in five of six games, with six total goals in that span.
DeBrusk to score 1+ points (-109): DeBrusk tormented the Maple Leafs as a member of the Boston Bruins and is Vancouver’s third-leading scorer this year.
That’s not saying too much, though, as he has 28 points in 53 games.
The winger is on a nice run at the moment, though, with six points in his last five games. In that span, he is 4-1 against this line.
Mitch Marner takes the spotlight on Friday as the former Maple Leaf returns to Toronto for the first time as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights.
The pregame narrative: Marner left the Maple Leafs sitting fifth on the team’s all-time scoring list, but the oft-embattled forward is expected to receive a heavy dosage of boos tonight. Vegas beat Toronto in a 6-5 thriller last week and is a slight road favourite in this rematch north of the border.
Check out my Golden Knights vs. Maple Leafs picks and NHL predictions for Jan. 23, featuring a prop bet on Auston Matthews.
Toronto’s captain has caught fire in January after a slow start to the season, ripping home 10 goals in 11 games. Check out his league-wide ranks during that span, with stats provided by Natural Stat Trick:
1st in goals (11)
1st in scoring chances (61)
10th in shots (39)
That’s the Rocket Richard-winning version of No. 34 hockey fans have come to know.
Matthews has a 25.6% shooting percentage in January, so it’s fair to expect a bit of regression there. But his career average was around 16.5% before last year, which is still among the elite of the elite.
Confidence is everything, and Matthews is feeling it right now.
Vegas hasn’t confirmed its netminder yet, but all signs point to Adin Hill since Akira Schmid played yesterday against Boston.
Hill has a 3.01 GAA and .873 SV% this year, which would rank 45th and 55th had he played enough games to qualify.
Key stat: Matthews has 11 goals in 13 games against Vegas and has scored in three of his last four versus the Golden Knights (including last week with Hill in net).
NHL predictions for Marner’s Toronto return
Over 6 goals (-120): If Hill plays, this would be his third start since returning from a lengthy injured reserve stint.
The early results have been ugly: Five goals allowed against Toronto, and two goals on 17 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers.
In October, Hill posted an .888 SV% in five games.
Toronto’s offence has been among the league’s best since Christmas, averaging a blistering 3.5 goals across 14 games. For context, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3.5 goals per game rank second this year.
I’m confident the Leafs can get after Hill, or whoever plays (all four of Vegas’ goalies have a sub-.900 SV%), and I believe the Golden Knights will get their licks in, too.
Toronto’s defensive corps is decimated with Oliver-Ekman Larsson, Brandon Carlo, and Chris Tanev sidelined.
Vegas out-gunned Toronto for a 6-5 win last week and is 6-2-1 against this line in its last nine games.
Golden Knights vs. Maple Leafs picks made at 10:05 a.m. ET Jan. 23, 2026.
Mitch Marner takes the spotlight on Friday as the former Maple Leaf returns to Toronto for the first time as a member of the Vegas Golden Knights.
The pregame narrative: Marner left the Maple Leafs sitting fifth on the team’s all-time scoring list, but the oft-embattled forward is expected to receive a heavy dosage of boos tonight. Vegas beat Toronto in a 6-5 thriller last week and is a slight road favourite in this rematch north of the border.
Check out my Golden Knights vs. Maple Leafs picks and NHL predictions for Jan. 23, featuring a prop bet on Auston Matthews.
Toronto’s captain has caught fire in January after a slow start to the season, ripping home 10 goals in 11 games. Check out his league-wide ranks during that span, with stats provided by Natural Stat Trick:
1st in goals (11)
1st in scoring chances (61)
10th in shots (39)
That’s the Rocket Richard-winning version of No. 34 hockey fans have come to know.
Matthews has a 25.6% shooting percentage in January, so it’s fair to expect a bit of regression there. But his career average was around 16.5% before last year, which is still among the elite of the elite.
Confidence is everything, and Matthews is feeling it right now.
Vegas hasn’t confirmed its netminder yet, but all signs point to Adin Hill since Akira Schmid played yesterday against Boston.
Hill has a 3.01 GAA and .873 SV% this year, which would rank 45th and 55th had he played enough games to qualify.
Key stat: Matthews has 11 goals in 13 games against Vegas and has scored in three of his last four versus the Golden Knights (including last week with Hill in net).
Over 6 goals (-117): If Hill plays, this would be his third start since returning from a lengthy injured reserve stint.
The early results have been ugly: Five goals allowed against Toronto, and two goals on 17 shots against the Philadelphia Flyers.
In October, Hill posted an .888 SV% in five games.
Toronto’s offence has been among the league’s best since Christmas, averaging a blistering 3.5 goals across 14 games. For context, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 3.5 goals per game rank second this year.
I’m confident the Leafs can get after Hill, or whoever plays (all four of Vegas’ goalies have a sub-.900 SV%), and I believe the Golden Knights will get their licks in, too.
Toronto’s defensive corps is decimated with Oliver-Ekman Larsson, Brandon Carlo, and Chris Tanev sidelined.
Vegas out-gunned Toronto for a 6-5 win last week and is 6-2-1 against this line in its last nine games.
Golden Knights vs. Maple Leafs picks made at 10:05 a.m. ET Jan. 23, 2026.
The NHL is sending its players to the Winter Olympics for the first time in over a decade. And as the 2026 tournament nears, Canada is the favourite to win gold at the Milan Cortina Games.
The pre-tournament narrative: Hockey fans haven’t seen a men’s best-on-best Olympic format since Sochi 2014, when Canada captured its second consecutive gold medal. Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid look to put Canada back atop the podium, but Team USA will be among the countries offering the stiffest competition.
Check out the latest Olympic men’s hockey odds, as of Jan. 23, 2026, for the marquee event beginning in Italy on Feb. 11.
As of Jan. 23, 2026, Canada has the shortest 2026 Olympic men’s hockey betting odds at +125.
Canada’s favourite label should come as no surprise. The country won the 4 Nations Face-Off — the last best-on-best tournament — in a thrilling overtime win over the U.S. earlier this year.
That was just an appetizer, and now the Canadians are eying the main course.
Jon Cooper is behind the bench as Canada aims to capture a 10th men’s gold, and he has an absolutely loaded roster.
In addition to the veteran forwards, second-year star Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks was among the 25 players selected to Team Canada’s roster.
Celebrini, 19, has been one of the best forwards in the league this season, entering the 2026 year as one of the leading point-getters in the NHL.
Canada is rolling with this threesome: Jordan Binnington, Darcy Kuemper and Logan Thompson.
Binnington was lights out at the 4 Nations tournament, but he’s having a rough year with the St. Louis Blues.
Thompson doesn’t quite hold up as a Vezina-calibre netminder, though Kuemper is turning in his second consecutive strong season with the Los Angeles Kings following a miserable 2023-24 campaign.
There will be differences in Milan compared to the 4 Nations: The ice is smaller, there are 12 teams, and the IIHF rulebook skews toward less physical contact.
Fans certainly won’t see any fighting, that’s for sure. That could play into Canada’s favour as the U.S. really leaned on its physicality at the 4 Nations.
Olympic hockey odds favourites Milan 2026
Team USA men’s Olympic hockey odds: +205
The Americans have never won an Olympic gold with NHL players in the mix, but have a great chance of snapping that trend. The team’s defence is sound, headed by 2024 Norris Trophy winner Quinn Hughes.
Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes and Matthew Tkachuk lead the forward group, but all three have dealt with injuries this season.
Team USA has an embarrassment of riches in goal with Jake Oettinger, Connor Hellebuyck and Jeremy Swayman making the roster.
Sweden Olympic hockey odds: +600
Sweden is the only other team with odds shorter than 10-to-1.
The Swedes are a skilled team up and down the lineup, with plenty of experience and continuity (not in the Olympics, of course). William Nylander and Victor Hedman are among the biggest names on the squad.
When do the 2026 Winter Olympics start? The Milan Cortina 2026 Games begin in Italy on Feb. 6. The closing ceremonies are Feb. 22.
What’s the format of the ice hockey tournament? The men’s Olympic hockey tournament consists of 12 teams and 30 games. Teams are split into three groups, and the action begins with a round-robin format. The group winners and the next-best team in the round robin receive a bye to the quarterfinals.
Four qualification playoff games among the other eight countries will determine the remaining quarterfinal spots.
What’s the men’s Olympic hockey schedule? The men’s Olympic hockey tournament starts with the round robin on Feb. 11.
Quarterfinals: Feb. 18
Semifinals: Feb. 20
Gold medal game: Feb. 22
When is Canada’s first Olympic hockey game? Canada’s first 2026 Olympic hockey game is on Feb. 12 against Czechia.
Who is in Canada’s Olympic hockey group? Canada is in Group A, alongside Czechia, France and Switzerland.
Are NHL players participating in the 2026 Olympics? Yes, NHL players are participating in the Olympics for the first time since 2014.
When are the Olympic hockey rosters selected? The deadline for countries to submit their Olympic rosters was Dec. 31, 2025.
Is the Olympic ice going to be NHL-sized? No, the ice will be slightly smaller than a typical NHL rink (roughly three feet shorter).
How many times has Canada won gold in men’s hockey at the Olympics? Canada has a record nine Olympic golds, most recently winning in 2014.
Can I bet on Olympic men’s hockey at NorthStar Bets? Absolutely. NorthStar Bets provides pre-tournament Winter Olympic hockey futures on outright winners and more. Popular markets like moneylines and totals will be offered once the games start.
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday with just two points separating the teams in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
The pregame narrative: Toronto has picked up points in six straight (4-0-2) and could find itself one game out of a wild-card spot with a win tonight. The Maple Leafs remain shorthanded on offence following William Nylander’s placement on the injured reserve on Monday.
Check out my Panthers vs. Leafs predictions for Jan. 6, featuring a prop pick on Bobby McMann.
The Maple Leafs have been awful defensively, and things aren’t expected to improve any time soon. Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo and Jake McCabe are all sidelined.
Toronto’s defensive stats:
27th in goals against per game (3.34)
32nd in shots against per game (31.3)
32nd in chances against per 60 (63.15)
But Toronto has outscored its defensive issues lately, averaging 4.6 goals per game in its last six, and cashing this over four times.
If you’re worried about Nylander’s absence bucking that trend, don’t be.
The Swede missed the last four games before being placed on the IR, and the Leafs kept chugging. Auston Matthews returning to form with six goals in those contests certainly helped.
I think the Leafs will get after a struggling Sergei Bobrovsky tonight. The two-time Vezina winner has regressed mightily this year, ranking 35th in GAA (2.84) and 48th in save percentage (.855).
Florida can contribute to this number, too. The team averages the eighth-most shots per game and should generate enough chances against Toronto’s defence to pull its weight.
Key stat: The last four meetings between these teams in Toronto have gone over six goals.
NHL prop picks
McMann to score 1+ points (+100): McMann has been a consistent point producer over the last two weeks.
The 23-year-old forward has four goals and four assists in his last eight games, cashing this wager six times.
He’s been consistently firing pucks in that span, ranking second on the team in shot attempts (37) and high-danger chances (12).
The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers on Tuesday with just two points separating the teams in a crowded Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
The pregame narrative: Toronto has picked up points in six straight (4-0-2) and could find itself one game out of a wild-card spot with a win tonight. The Maple Leafs remain shorthanded on offence following William Nylander’s placement on the injured reserve on Monday.
Check out my Panthers vs. Leafs predictions for Jan. 6, featuring a prop pick on Bobby McMann.
The Maple Leafs have been awful defensively, and things aren’t expected to improve any time soon. Chris Tanev, Brandon Carlo and Jake McCabe are all sidelined.
Toronto’s defensive stats:
27th in goals against per game (3.34)
32nd in shots against per game (31.3)
32nd in chances against per 60 (63.15)
But Toronto has outscored its defensive issues lately, averaging 4.6 goals per game in its last six, and cashing this over four times.
If you’re worried about Nylander’s absence bucking that trend, don’t be.
The Swede missed the last four games before being placed on the IR, and the Leafs kept chugging. Auston Matthews returning to form with six goals in those contests certainly helped.
I think the Leafs will get after a struggling Sergei Bobrovsky tonight. The two-time Vezina winner has regressed mightily this year, ranking 35th in GAA (2.84) and 48th in save percentage (.855).
Florida can contribute to this number, too. The team averages the eighth-most shots per game and should generate enough chances against Toronto’s defence to pull its weight.
Key stat: The last four meetings between these teams in Toronto have gone over six goals.
The New York Rangers and Florida Panthers take it outside in sunny Miami for Friday’s Winter Classic showdown.
The pregame narrative: The roof will be open at LoanDepot Park for tonight’s matchup. With temperatures hovering around 17 degrees Celsius, I’m skeptical about the ice conditions for this matchup. With that in mind, I’ll happily back the under and the underdogs in this contest.
Check out my Rangers vs. Panthers predictions for Jan. 2 below.
A 17-degree Celsius forecast for tonight’s contest would undoubtedly be the warmest in the event’s history.
The Rangers, meanwhile, already have enough issues scoring as it is. They rank 31st in goals per game (2.55), and have scored two or fewer in nine of their last 13 contests.
Florida isn’t clicking on all offensive cylinders, either, ahead of this game. The Cats have scored two or fewer in three of their last five games.
With the potential for sloppy conditions and unimpressive offences, I’ll happily back the under.
Key stat: New York has the highest unders percentage in the NHL (64.3%).
Who will win the Winter Classic?
Rangers moneyline (+120): If the conditions are sloppy, one would expect that to favour New York.
The Rangers aren’t a high-powered offence, but bad ice could drag the Panthers to their level.
New York enters Friday riding a three-game losing streak, but Florida isn’t lighting the league on fire either.
The Panthers have lost three of their last five games.
Recent struggles from Sergei Bobrovsky are also worth noting. The veteran puck-stopper owns a very pedestrian .889 save percentage in his last four appearances.
Rangers vs. Panthers predictions made at 9:45 a.m. ET Jan. 2, 2025.
