Olympic Hockey Betting Previews – Canada vs Switzerland

February 18, 2010 in Breaking News, Canada, Dark Horses, Favourites, Hot Picks & Tips, Switzerland by john

Canada offer easy money against the Swiss

AFTER treating the Norway match like a last-minute warm up game where the first line saw limited ice time, Canada will be ramping up its efforts for the impending challenge in the form of the American team.

Set your PVR for 4:30, because the Canadians will be lighting up the scoreboard with highlight reel goals that should make for very entertaining replays.

The most interesting points to watch in this one will include Canada’s first line. Iginla found himself on the ice with Crosby and Nash for the better part of the last two periods, despite their poor showing together during training camp. The trio certainly gave the scouts something to worry about, however as they lit up Norway combining for four of the games eight goals.

Iginla looked right at home as he and Nash, arguably the worlds two most physically dominating forwards, flanked Sid the Kid in all his Crosby-ness. The mind boggles at the prospect of game planning to defend that line. Then throw in the fact that a slight misstep could summon replacements Patrice Bergeron, Eric Staal or Patrick Marleau and you wonder why coach Mike Babcook doesn’t just draw names from a hat.

There will undoubtedly be some line juggling as the possible combinations elicit more potential knockout matchups than speed dating at the Playboy mansion. 2010 Olympics - Switzerland

Heatley was dynamite from the point, but fellow forwards Morrow, Thornton and Toews look like they’ll need some sort of jump-start to prove that they belong on the world’s best hockey team. Staal and the tandem of Perry and Getzlaf looked solid, and their chemistry progressed throughout the game. That just may be the most intimidating third line in the history of hockey. Look for the shifty Toews to get some time with the big bodies in the 2nd and 3rd lines at some point, and Richards to spell off Thornton if that line is in need of some energy.

Group A is clearly a tale of two teams, and Switzerland will be little more than a bump on the road to Canada’s date with the Americans on the 21st. No over-inflated line could make the Swiss a good bet here. Take Canada to win and enjoy the easiest small win you’ve ever collected.

Switzerland will face the hosts at Canada Hockey Place at 4.30pm on Thursday, February 18. If you fancy a flutter on the hosts or the underdog, we recommend placing your bets at Sportsbook or Bodog.

Connor Galway