2024 World Juniors Semifinal: Finland vs. USA Betting Preview
Feb
In a thrilling journey through the 2024 World Junior Hockey Championship, Team USA stands on the brink of vying for the championship title following their commanding 7-2 triumph over Latvia in the quarterfinals. The stakes are high as they face Finland in the semifinals, with live coverage on NHL Network at 1:30 p.m. ET.
As the hockey spectacle unfolds in Gothenburg, Sweden, let’s delve into the Finland vs. USA odds, props, and predictions to gauge the pulse of this high-stakes encounter.
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Finland vs. USA Odds: Puck Line, Moneyline & Total
DraftKings emerges as a top-tier sportsbook, setting the stage for the Finland vs. USA odds. The betting line for the semifinal clash unfolds as follows:
- Puck Line: Finland +1.5 (+102), USA -1.5 (-122)
- Moneyline: Finland (+240), USA (-330)
- Total: 6 OVER (-118), UNDER (-102)
Team USA, pursuing their sixth gold medal, enters the semifinal battleground with an impressive record, having clinched five golds, the latest in 2021.
Finland Betting News: Roller-Coaster Ride at 2024 World Juniors
The Finnish contingent’s journey has been a roller-coaster, epitomized by their quarterfinal triumph over Slovakia (4-3 in overtime). Finnish captain Jere Lassila, the talismanic figure, notched the game-winner just 24 seconds into the extra session. Lassila, with three goals and seven points, spearheads Finland’s scoring prowess alongside threats like Kasper Halttunen and Lenni Hameenaho.
Despite initial setbacks against Canada and Germany, Finland rallied back with wins over Latvia and Sweden, setting the stage for a formidable clash with Team USA. The key to an upset lies in the hands of goalie Niklas Kokko, who displayed resilience with 27 saves against Slovakia.
Team USA Betting News: Juggernaut in the Making
Team USA has been an unstoppable force in the World Juniors, as evidenced by their dominating run:
- USA 4 Norway 1
- USA 11 Switzerland 3
- USA 4 Czechia 3 (shootout)
- USA 10 Slovakia 2
- USA 7 Latvia 2
Their only challenge thus far came from Czechia. In the quarterfinal triumph over Latvia, Gabe Perreault (Boston College) led the charge with two goals and an assist. The trio of Perreault, Will Smith, and Ryan Leonard, along with high-scoring forwards Cutter Gauthier and Gavin Brindley, has been pivotal.
Team USA, the -105 betting favorite at FanDuel, showcases both talent and depth, outscoring opponents 36-11 in the tournament. Jacob Fowler (Boston College) is likely to start in goal after a stellar 23-save performance in the quarterfinals.
Finland vs. USA Prop Bets
Explore team goal props at FanDuel:
- Finland 1.5: OVER (-196), UNDER (+152)
- USA 3.5: OVER (-130), UNDER (+104)
With Team USA consistently scoring four or more goals, these props add an intriguing dimension to the semifinal clash.
World Juniors Semifinal Prediction
Brimming with talent and depth, Team USA appears poised for success, evident in their 7-2 victory over Latvia. Considering their overall dominance, betting on the American side with the puck line for a win by at least two goals seems promising. For optimal odds, savvy bettors may explore different sportsbooks, with DraftKings offering favorable odds compared to FanDuel (-134) on the puck line.