Winter Olympics Odds: “Russia” Expected to Win Hockey Gold

The 2018 Winter Olympics begin this Friday in Pyeongchang, South Korea, and this year’s festival will see 102 events spread across 15 different disciplines, with betting odds available right now at Bovada Sportsbook. Of the 92 nations participating, Norway is the +110 favorite to take home the most medals, followed by Germany at +150 and Team USA at +375.

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If those Olympic odds seem a bit strange, that’s because Russia is not included. However, a delegation of 169 athletes will be allowed to perform under the banner “Olympic Athletes of Russia,” and that delegation is favored at even money to win the men’s Ice Hockey gold medal. Canada and Sweden are tied for second at +450; Team USA trails at +1000, with no players from the NHL in attendance this year. Most professional leagues in Europe will take an Olympic break, including Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League.

Team USA is in much better shape at –130 to win the gold medal in women’s Ice Hockey. Canada (+110) took home the gold at each of the last four Games, beating the US in the finals on three occasions; however, Canada is vulnerable following the 2017 retirement of Hayley Wickenheiser.

Winter Olympics Odds: Can “Russia” Be Stopped?

They won’t be flying the Russian flag when the Pyeongchang Games get underway this Friday, but “Olympic Athletes of Russia” are still favored at even money to win the gold medal in men’s hockey. Canada and Sweden are a distant second at +450, with Team USA well behind at +1000.

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The Russian players have a big advantage this year. While the NHL has decided not to take a break for the 2018 Olympics, most European leagues will be – including the Kontinental Hockey League. Among the Russians participating: former NHL All-Stars Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk.