Tip: Canada and Switzerland clash in the battle for group victory in the Ice Hockey World Championship!

The Ice Hockey World Championship rages on, and as we approach day eight, perhaps the most thrilling match of the tournament awaits. A special moment is in store as Canada and Switzerland go head-to-head in a game that may very well determine the outcome of the Group B's top spot.

A star-studded Switzerland impresses

Both Switzerland and Canada have impressed in the early stages of the World Championship. The Swiss, as usual, have assembled a strong team and have also received reinforcements from the NHL in the form of Kevin Fiala, Nico Hischier, and Jonas Siegenthaler. This trio will make Switzerland a real contender for the gold medal, which I quickly capitalized on as soon as the news broke with 11x odds. After the first four games, the Swiss have secured four victories with an impressive goal difference of 19-2. However, it was only yesterday against Slovakia that they faced their first significant challenge. After unfortunately surrendering a comfortable 2-0 lead to a 2-2 tie, Switzerland managed to regroup and confidently clinch a 4-2 victory in the third period. The team exudes stability.

While Canada may not boast an abundance of superstars in their lineup in Riga, they seem to have things clicking well. Like Switzerland, Canada also has four wins under their belt, although they earned one of them through a shootout against Slovakia, resulting in fewer points. I would argue that their biggest star is MacKenzie Weegar, who regularly plays for the Calgary Flames, and I have repeatedly praised him as one of the best defensemen in the NHL. He has had a strong start to the tournament with 3 goals and 5 assists, which comes as no surprise considering his performances in the NHL in recent seasons. It provides Canada with a potent offensive weapon from the blue line that Switzerland must be vigilant against.

Best forward group against best defensive lineup?

I'm always interested when teams with different strengths face each other, which I believe is the case in this match. As I mentioned earlier, Canada has the strongest defensive lineup in the tournament, which is not surprising given their NHL experience and the presence of players like Weegar. Switzerland, on the other hand, has assembled an impressive forward group with Denis Malgin, Nico Hischier, Kevin Fiala, and Nino Niederreiter, thanks to their reinforcements. Additionally, many high-performing players from the Swiss top league further enhance their offensive prowess. No other team in the tournament can quite match Switzerland's offensive firepower. Canada can expect to face a significant challenge.

Furthermore, Switzerland has bolstered their defensive corps with the addition of Jonas Siegenthaler from the NJ Devils. They also have Janis Moser from the Arizona Coyotes. Siegenthaler's arrival is a welcome addition to solidify Switzerland's defense and could be the key factor when Canada's top players are on the attack.

Conclusion and prediction

All in all, I don't think the Swiss team should be favorites in any way, but I also feel that the current odds don't fully respect the depth and talent that the team possesses. Add to that their structured play with good speed, and Canada could struggle to withstand Switzerland's offensive pressure over the course of 60 minutes. I have great respect for this Canadian team, but I believe the value lies with the Swiss in this match!

I will bet on Switzerland Draw no bet +155 at BetMGM