Written by Graeme & Scott on Tuesday, February 18th, 2014
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Welcome to the Olympic Hockey Betting Tips for Ferbuary 19th, 2014.
In case you missed it yesterday – we’ve decided rather than doing official tips, both of us will split up and present our individual bets for each day. This is because (1) We’re not as confident about handicapping olympic hockey, and (2) We were conflicting over a lot of the picks.
Because we’re competitive guys, we’ve also got a contest going between each other. The loser must take the winner out to dinner at The Keg Steakhouse. The winner gets whatever he wants meal wise, including appetizer and dessert, plus all the beer he can drink – all paid for by the loser.
So yeah – that’s made the games a lot more fun. Along with our bets we’re both talking crap to each other over text during the game.
Let’s quickly recap yesterdays action – the winner is the one with the most units at the end:
February 18th Results:
Graeme: Went 2-1, including a huge pick of Slovenia -1.5 at +250 odds. Current results: 2-1, +2.22 units.
Scott: Went 2-1 winning both Over/Under picks in Switzerland vs Latvia. Current results: 2-1, +1.4 units.
February 19th Olympic Hockey Betting Odds:
Sweden -3.5 vs Slovenia +3,5, O/U 5.5.
Finland +1 vs Russia -1, O/U 4.5.
Canada -4 vs Latvia +4, O/U 6.5.
USA -1.5 vs Czech Republic +1.5, O/U 5.5.
Taken from Bovada for Americans and http://www.Bet365.com for everyone else..
Graemes Olympic Bets for February 19th:
While I was disappointed at the Swiss losing to Latvia, it does make a theoretically easier game for Team Canada. Although I’m not sure if that’s a good thing – with the possibilities of playing USA then Russia, I’d much prefer they get into the tougher games as soon as possible. Will be interesting to see how it works out and I’m nervous as hell for Price.
First bet I see that I am going for is USA -1.5. 2.15 odds for that, and they did a tremendous job over Slovenia and Slovakia. Czechs beat Slovakia but it was a tight enough game. The sportsbooks haven’t given the USA ANY respect for the whole tournament – so might as well jump on it while you can. To me, that’s a no-brainer.
Next is Under 6.5 in Canada vs Latvia. 1.90 odds for that. Considering out of the 7 games these teams have played only once has it went over 6.5, and NEVER in any of the Canada games – it just seems like another no-brainer bet. Very possible Canada get an early 2 goal lead and Latvia push up exposing themselves. But I will take that risk.
Finally – a basic math bet. I want Russia to win this tournament, I really do. And after their 4-0 win over Norway, I’m already telling my buddies at the pub about how “Russia are back” and “this is what they needed”, talking about how the confidence is soaring through the team, and after that free scoring game they’re ready to rock and roll with the gold medal now in sight.
But they’ve struggled in 2 of their games, are going up against a well rested Finnish team who did a great job against Canada. How can you NOT take Finland to win at 2.60 odds?
All of that at Bovada for Americans and http://www.Bet365.com for everyone else..
Scott’s Olympic Hockey Betting for February 19th 2014
First I gotta go with Sweden -3.5 Over Slovenia. Sure Slovenia surprised the Austrians and won 4-0 but Sweden is a much, much better team. Sweden was ranked #1 after the round robin for a reason, they are a great team and will walk all over Slovenia who already lost to the United States and Russia, who are similar is skill to the Swedes.
Next I’m going to go with United States -1.5 over the Czech Republic. The Americans looked amazing during the round robin beating Latvia, Slovakia and the Russians (3-2 in OT). They have already beaten teams who are equal too the Czechs and also the Russians who are a stronger team on home ice.
Lastly I’m going to go with Canada -3.5 over Latvia. Was nice to see Latvia beat Switzerland for the first true upset of the Olympics but their win streak ends with this one. The Canadians are going to shorten their bench now that he round robin is over and start giving their first and second lines more ice time.
I’ll be placing these bets as a single, and also as a treble at http://www.5Dimes.eu for Americans(Need to register to see lines) and and http://www.Bet365.com for everyone else..
Wow, Russia is out, but i guess that does not surprise me, they did not look good all tourney, least not for their talent level up front. Finland a serious threat moving forward. And talk about just squeezing in the under 4.5. Saw it was 2-1 after 1 and thought for sure that was another losing bet. What is everybody’s medal predictions at this juncture. I had USA (we want our revenge from Vancouver), Canada, Sweden.
Will wait till after today and see. Personally I(Graeme) would rank the US & Finland as the two top favourites. USA look the best right now.
My book has this over/under at 6 and I won’t touch it unless it goes up. I can’t decide if I should take Latvia +3.5 or avoid the game all together. Canada has not looked in sync so I don’t think they’ll cover.
Yeah that’s why we’re not listing official tips – just our individual bets. You could easily sit down and provide a convincing argument for both Canada to utterly destroy Latvia, AND for Canada to scrape through by 1-2 goals. Olympics are tricky 🙂
Indeed they are. I still appreciate you guys giving your thoughts. Hard to find olympic hockey betting discussion. Sometimes it’s nice to hear someone else’ reasoning. I feel like Latvia knows how good Canada is offensively and they’ll focus on defense the entire time. Sure they could get blown out, but the more realistic, more logical thing will be a low scoring 1-2 goal game. Maybe I’m just trying to talk myself into it. The perils of a degenerate.
Yeah I mean even the Canada 2-1 result doesn’t actually prove anything. Just look at the shot total. On another day that goalie could have a bad day, Canada could have a few more bounces go their way and boom you’ve got a blowout. Always very tricky.
Thank you Graeme! I had the same thoughts on my bets – Finland to win, USA to cover, and Can/Lat under. I did singles & a parlay – very nice win/payout this morning. 🙂
No problem, yes that was a nice one 🙂 I was a bit nervous after Canadas first goal – groaning that it was going to be a blowout. Hell even with 4 minutes left and 2-1 I was still nervous 🙂 Nice win. – Graeme
I ended up taking the under at 6 (just couldn’t bring myself to take Latvia, no matter how hard I tried to talk myself into it). I know it’s womens hockey and no one really pays attention, but for a degenerate like me that is loving being able to bet and watch these games while at work I thought I’d ask. Any thoughts on USA vs Canada today at noon? I know Canada beat USA earlier but USA is still the favorite. I can get USA -1.5 at +200. That’s hard to pass up.
We’re having enough trouble with the mens games 🙂 And I miss working in an office – I used to spend my morning betting on the UK horse racing while listening to the races on a wireless set of headphones I had on everywhere I went. Good times 🙂
It’s one where I’d go by the numbers, and try and take opinion out of it. By doing that, I think Canada have value. They’ve won every game, including beating the US and beating bronze medalists Switzerland twice.
I’m betting the over myself. Betting wise I don’t feel I have an edge – at least with the over there’s a good chance of it, plus it has the entertainment value of sitting there basically cheering for goals.