Ice Hockey World Cup quarter-final, Thursday, May 22, 2025, at 8:20 p.m.
Oddset is known to be one of the betting providers that accepts PayPal, and this time it was my first port of call for the Canada Denmark tip.
According to the bookie in question, this should be the most one-sided quarter-final at the Ice Hockey World Championship, and in my opinion, the bookmaker will be proven right on Thursday…
The Canadians seem to be on a personal mission at this Ice Hockey World Championship. Perhaps it is pride that has been rekindled after their semi-final exit in 2022 and their bumpy gold medal win in 2023.
But maybe it’s simply the fact that they have fielded their best squad in years.
And in fact, anything other than the reigning world champions Czech Republic being replaced by the Maple Leafs would be a surprise to me.
Because what or who is lining up here in Stockholm gets even neutral fans’ blood pumping faster: Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan O’Reilly, Marc-André Fleury, plus the highly talented young guns Fantilli, Celebrini and Johnson – this line-up isn’t just strong, it’s almost a statement to the competition.
They don’t just want gold. They want to dominate. And so far, the Maple Leafs have delivered exactly that: 7-0 against Slovakia, 7-1 against Latvia, 5-0 against France – opponents from the “Denmark” category were literally swept off the ice.
The fact that the Danes are now waiting in the quarterfinals is unlikely to dampen their motivation. On the contrary. Canada will leave nothing to chance, because there is no mercy in knockout mode.
What makes the difference is not only the individual class, but also the enormous depth of the squad. The Canadians’ fourth line would be the first line for many nations.
Add to that the coaching: Dean Evason is no novice. The man knows how to win titles, and with Weegar, Matheson, and O’Reilly, he has several players in his squad who have already won gold.
This mixture of experience, firepower, and youthful carefreeness is currently unrivaled.
And then there’s Denmark. A team that should not be underestimated, but still an opponent for whom surviving the preliminary round was a huge success.
The fact that the Danes knocked Germany out in a penalty shootout is to their credit. They are physically present, disciplined, and committed defensively – but that won’t be enough against Canada.
Their problem is the same as it has been so often in the preliminary round: they lack playmakers, offensive pressure, and NHL-caliber players.
In a quarterfinal against the Canadians, that’s a knockout criterion. Individual strong saves by the goalie or a well-functioning box play may keep the Danes in the game for a while, but at some point the dam will break.
And this is where it gets interesting for us betting fans. Depending on the provider, the odds for a Canadian victory in regular time are as low as 1.08 in some cases – that’s a sure thing, but not worth betting on.
Things only get exciting with handicap bets. If you bet on Canada with HC -3, i.e. a win by at least four goals, you’ll get much more interesting odds of around 1.75 to 1.90.
And let’s be honest: with a team that has regularly scored five to seven goals so far, that’s not a risky Canada Denmark tip, but almost logical.
There’s even more value to be had by looking at the goal betting market. Nathan MacKinnon is currently in absolute gala form.
With 13 points already, he is one of the most impressive offensive players in the tournament – and he’s always there when it counts. He’s dangerous on the power play and almost impossible to stop in one-on-one situations.
A goal bet on him – whether as a single bet or part of a combination bet – is highly interesting for this quarter-final. The odds for a “MacKinnon goal” are currently fluctuating between 1.45 and 1.60, which is a gift given his form.
My conclusion: Canada will win the game; anything else would be a sensation.
But the key to profitable betting here is not in the win bet, but in the combination of handicap and goal scorer markets. My recommendation: Canada -3 handicap win plus MacKinnon to score – single odds around 1.50, depending on the bookmaker.
If you want to play it a little safer, just bet on the handicap. But don’t forget: these Canadians are on a mission – and Denmark is just the next stop on their way to the gold medal.
My tip: Canada to win with HC -4
