4 Nations Face-Off Prop Bets: A Potential Championship Preview

• USA currently leads the field in total points after the first round of games

• Adin Hill is expected to get the starting nod in net for team Canada

• Both Canada and USA finished their first periods with an Expected Goal higher than 1.00

Heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off, team USA and Canada were projected to be on a crash course to the finals as both teams were listed as the betting favorites to win the tournament. With both offenses already looking like they have established their identity, Saturday’s contest will be an exciting one in what may be a potential preview of the championship.

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USA vs. Canada Prop Bets (8:00 EST)

On paper, Adin Hill should be an upgrade for Canada as he enters the contest with a lower average in Goals Against per game than Jordan Binnington. Unfortunately for the Vegas goalie, he will be under relentless pressure against USA’s high powered offense.

USA Team Total Over 3 (-118) at BetMGM Sportsbook

After a slow start in their contest against Finland, team USA’s offense seemingly got into a groove and cleared the over on their team total with a barrage of goals in the third period. The Tkachuk brothers were responsible for a majority of their scoring production as the duo finished the contest with two goals apiece. They were also very efficient with their shot selections as they generated a combined Expected Goal of 3.25 while USA as a whole finished with a 4.91.

With Adin Hill projected to get the start for Canada, we go back to the well by targeting the over on USA’s team total as negative regression looms large over the Golden Knight. While Hill has managed to average just 2.64 Goals Against per game, he also resides in the bottom half of the board in Save Percentage. With a lack of continuity hurting his back line’s ability to properly shift across the ice, expect Hill to struggle to wall off team USA's high quality Shots on Goal.

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Both Teams to Score in the First Period (+170) at BetMGM Sportsbook

Even though team USA got off to a slow start against Finland, they still managed to squeak in a goal in the first period and finished the first 20 minutes with an Expected Goal of 1.63. Their offense features plenty of playmakers who all excel at generating high quality scoring opportunities, giving them the ability to consistently pressure the net for the duration of the contest while consistently rolling out fresh legs who can maintain a fast style of play.

A high tempo also plays in Canada’s favor as their offense runs through their star centers ability to crash through opposing back lines. Whether it is Connor McDavid or reigning Hart Memorial Trophy winner Nathan MacKinnon, Canada’s offense will look to push the puck at a quick pace and exploit USA’s gaps in coverage in transition. If Jake Oettinger gets the start in net for team USA, then reduce the size of your wager.

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Nathan MacKinnon Over 3.5 Shots on Goal (+104) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Speaking of Nathan MacKinnon, the Colorado center has built a strong case for winning his second straight Hart Memorial Trophy as he currently leads the league in total points while residing near the top of the board in +/-. Even though a majority of his points come from assists, MacKinnon still excels at generating high quality scoring opportunities as he currently averages 0.36 Expected Goals and 3.98 Shots on Goal per game.

MacKinnon was able to sustain his high level of aggressiveness against Sweden as he finished the contest with six Shots on Goal. An All Star format favors his style of play as he needs to take it upon himself to generate offense by weaving the puck through back lines while his new linemates struggle with positioning. For some more exposure, lay a wager on MacKinnon to score a goal as an uptick in Shots on Goal also increases the probability of him scoring.

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USA vs. Canada How to Watch

• When: February 15th, 8:00 EST

• Where: Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada

• Where to Watch: ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS