Initially, NHL players were on their way back to the Olympics after skipping the 2018 games in PyeongChang. The COVID pandemic had other ideas, apparently, and it was announced in December that the NHL would no longer be participating in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Canada was the odds-on favorite to win the tournament back when the pros were earmarked to compete, but Russia has topped the board since and remains the favourite heading into the medal rounds.
With the qualifying and medal rounds set to begin, here are the current odds to win gold at Beijing.
Men’s Olympic hockey
Canada finished a disappointing third in the 2018 Olympics in South Korea after NHL players were not allowed to participate in the event. Russia ultimately took gold and Germany won silver. For now, the Russian Olympic Committee has taken over as the tournament favorite with NHL players once again sitting out.
Men’s hockey odds to win gold
| Country | Odds |
| Russian Olympic Committee | +200 |
| Finland | +271 |
| Canada | +451 |
| Sweden | +601 |
| USA | +601 |
| Czech Republic | +1,403 |
| Germany | +4,910 |
| Switzerland | +4,910 |
| Denmark | +6,410 |
| Slovakia | +9,900 |
| Latvia | +14,900 |
| China | +50,000 |
Odds as of February 14, 2022
Russian Olympic Committee (+200)
Russia entered as the pre-tournament betting favourite and is holding down the No. 1 spot ahead as they await their quarterfinal matchup.
The tournament favorites looked vulnerable during preliminary play and even dropped a 6-5 barn-burner in overtime to the Czech Republic but remain atop the board at +200.
Finland (+271)
Finland is close behind in the No. 2 spot after winning all three of their preliminary matches, including a 4-3 overtime win over Sweden (+601).
Like Russia, Sweden, and the Americans, Finland is waiting out the qualifying rounds before playing their quarterfinal matchup.
Canada (+451)
Up into the third spot are the Canadians, on the board at +451. Canada went 2-1 in group play with the sole loss coming to the USA.
Canada will have to take down China — a team they just beat 5-0 — before advancing to the medal rounds.
Sweden, U.S.A. (+601)
Rounding out the Top 5 are the Swedes and Americans, both available at +601.
The Americans went a clean 3-0 in group play, including a 4-2 victory over the Canadians, while Sweden went 2-1 with the sole loss coming to Group C winners, Finland.
Men’s hockey round-robin groups
| Group A | Group B | Group C |
| Canada | Russian Olympic Committee | Finland |
| United States | Czech Republic | Sweden |
| Germany | Switzerland | Slovakia |
| China | Denmark | Latvia |
Where can I bet on Olympic hockey?
While odds are scarce right now, as we get closer to the start of the tournament most sportsbooks will have Olympic hockey odds, including odds to win the tournament, single-game moneylines, puck lines, and Over/Under totals. Head over to our best sportsbooks for Olympic hockey betting in your area.
