Some people prefer to wait for the last minute for their 2024 IIHF World Championship predictions, but the odds are out, and I love getting in early. Most hockey betting sites cover the tournament, so let’s try to figure out who will win.
Below, I explore the latest odds and make my Ice Hockey World Championship predictions for this highly anticipated event in Czechia from May 10 to May 26!
Ice Hockey World Championship 2024 Betting Odds
The following IIHF 2024 betting odds are courtesy of BetOnline:
| TEAM | ODDS |
|---|---|
| Canada | +265 |
| Finland | +340 |
| Sweden | +475 |
| Czechia | +600 |
| USA | +650 |
| Switzerland | +900 |
| Germany | +1600 |
| Slovakia | +3300 |
Team Canada (+265) is favored to win gold at the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship. In 2023, the country won their 28th World Championship title in a 5-2 win over the upset-minded Germans. Per Canada’s odds, they have an implied chance of 27.4% to repeat as champs.
It was the second time in three years that Canada won gold after Team Finland defeated the Canadians in 2022. Currently, Finland (+340) has the second-shortest odds to win the IIHF World Championship, with an implied probability of 22.7% at most sports betting sites.
The likes of Sweden, host Czechia, and USA are not that far behind. The best part is that you can get solid odds for most countries at BetOnline.
IIHF 2024 Group A Preview and Predictions
- Switzerland
- Denmark
- Finland
- Austria
- Canada
- Norway
- Great Britain
- Czechia
Group A of the 2024 IIHF World Championship is absolutely loaded as opposed to Group B. Drawing a favorable group is all part of international competition, and getting this one was a nightmare draw for most teams.
Canada, Finland, and Czechia have three out of the top four odds to win the 2024 IIHF World Championship. They just so happen to be playing in the same group, so Group A will be a gauntlet of attrition.
The less talented teams are the most impacted by this draw. I don’t like guaranteeing locks, but Austria, Great Britain, Denmark, and Norway already look dead in the water. Thanks for showing up to take part in the festivities in Prague, but it’s over for these four!
Team Switzerland might have received the worst luck out of these countries. Despite a talent disadvantage, the Swiss typically bring their best form to international tournaments. They are sometimes good for an upset or two.
The team can still qualify because four countries will progress to the quarterfinals, but it’s highly likely for Switzerland to finish fourth and face the top team from Group B in the knockouts.
As for the top spot, I like Canada. The team is expected to bring a talented roster with them to Czechia. Most notably, the Chicago Blackhawks’ dynamic center Connor Bedard is expected to make an appearance in Czechia. Finland will present a challenge, but if Bedard participates, the clear advantage is with Canada.
I have them finishing first, with Finland, Czechia, and Switzerland joining them for the next stage.
IIHF Group B Preview and Predictions
- France
- Germany
- Sweden
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- United States
- Poland
- Slovakia
Group B should be wide open between Sweden, the United States, and even Germany. According to the IIHF World Championship 2024 odds, Team Sweden has the best chance of qualifying from Group B.
Currently, at +475, Sweden has the third-best odds to win the gold medal. The next closest team is Team USA at +650 odds. Typically, the U.S. is a significant threat in international competition, but most of their top guns will likely be playing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
For instance, Auston Matthews, Kyle Connor, Connor Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes, J.T. Miller, Matthew Tkachuk, Thatcher Demko, and Jason Robertson are all with playoff teams. Demko and Hellebuyck’s absence takes away two of the top American netminders available in the NHL.
Team USA will have to wait for the Olympics to put these talented players on the ice together. So, the U.S. having the fifth-shortest 2024 IIHF odds is accurate, in my opinion. This sets the Swedes up pretty nicely in Group B.
I expect the Scandinavians to finish first, followed by the US. After these two, it’s going to be a massacre. Slovakia and Germany should be able to progress, but I wouldn’t rule out Kazakhstan or Poland either.
IIHF World Championship 2024 Top Favorites
Before proceeding to my IIHF World Championship 2024 predictions, let’s evaluate the top favorites to win the gold medal. Note that rosters have not been finalized yet, so I’m mostly speculating.
Following the NHL regular season, players will decide whether they’ll represent their country at the Ice Hockey World Championship or take time off to re-energize themselves for next season.
Also, players who have been eliminated in the early stages of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs will have the option of joining their team in Czechia.
Team Canada (+265)
The Canadians are the easy team pick as the betting favorite to win the World Championship. They’ve won the most gold medals in IIHF history with 28.
Since 2015, Canada has won four World Championship titles. As well as being a powerhouse hockey nation, the 2024 team is shaping up to have a strong roster in Czechia.
Projected Star Players
Canada will not have the luxury of sending Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar to the World Championship. Even if they are eliminated early in the playoffs, it’s unlikely that they’ll partake.
Nevertheless, the Canadians have a deep and talented field of players to select from. Despite the likes of McDavid and MacKinnon missing, Canada could have rookie phenom Connor Bedard.
Connor Bedard with the sweet pass to Jason Dickinson 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dD4axVYR9l
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) April 2, 2024
The 19-year-old has dazzled audiences with his incredible ability in the 2023-24 season. Bedard has scored 21 goals and 37 assists in 61 games1.
He plays on a Blackhawks team that isn’t sniffing the postseason, so barring an injury, Bedard will have the option to play for Canada.
Additionally, Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal of the New York Islanders would provide Canada with a nice scoring touch. Nick Suzuki, Mason McTavish, and Dylan Cozens would all be welcome additions to Team Canada, as well.
Strengths & Weaknesses
The top strength of Team Canada is their unmatchable depth. They can go four lines deep in this tournament and still find production.
With the Stanley Cup Playoffs blocking some of the game’s best players from representing their countries, the IIHF World Championship often comes down to availability.
Although they’ll be without McDavid, there is more than enough firepower to go around. Canada will not have an issue generating offense at the World Championship.
However, will the defense and goaltending hold up? It appears that Tristan Jarry and Sam Montembeault will be their top options. Marc-Andre Fleury might accept a spot on the team, but we’ll have to wait and see.
In any event, goaltending is likely their biggest liability at the 2024 IIHF World Championship.
Team Finland (+340)
The Finnish squad has found success at the IIHF World Championship in recent memory. They won their fourth gold medal in 2022, only three years after winning their third in 2019.
Team Finland is regarded as one of the top favorites in the IIHF betting odds again this season. Given their quality talent and growing pool of young studs, Finland is a hockey program that will be around for a while.
Projected Star Players
Much to the delight of Canada and the other top teams at the 2024 World Championship, Finland will be without some of their best playmakers.
Mikko Rantanen, Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, Roope Hintz, and Teuvo Teravainen are all on playoff contenders. Unless the Avalanche, Panthers, Stars, and Hurricane have an unforeseen early playoff exit, Finland will be left without significant firepower.
Also, Patrik Laine is currently in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program. I am sure he would be happy to represent his country, but that will likely wait until the future.
Nevertheless, Finland is in good hands with Eeli Tolvanen, Matias Maccelli, and Mikael Granlund. Additionally, the Devils’ Erik Haula provides Finland with veteran leadership and a solid two-way player.
The real MVP for Finland might have to be a goaltender, though.
Strengths & Weaknesses
A hot goaltender can steal the show and gold medal for a team in the World Championship. Well-known for being a goalie factory, Finland should be well-equipped between the pipes in Czechia.
If the Nashville Predators choke down the stretch in the playoff race or lose in the first round, Saros would be of great assistance to Team Finland.
The 28-year-old native of Frossa, Finland, boasts a 2.81 GAA and 0.907 save percentage for the Predators this season2.
Saros’ absence wouldn’t leave Finland in dire straits in the crease, though. In 2023-24, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has been one of the finest goaltenders in the NHL.
MY GOODNESS, UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN 😱
🇺🇸: @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/FmPv8M6v1l
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/45VJWbZOTw— NHL (@NHL) March 31, 2024
With a 2.57 GAA and 0.91 save percentage, he’s in Vezina Trophy territory despite playing for a mediocre Sabres team3. Luukkonen is largely the reason why you can’t ignore Finland this year.
Can the goalie carry Finland to gold? On a team that is always so well-disciplined defensively, he will be in a strong position.
I don’t have the most confidence in Finland’s offense without their top playmakers, but the defense and goaltending should be tough to crack.
Team Sweden (+475)
The Swedes are generally a wildcard at the IIHF World Championship. It’s one of the most difficult teams to get a solid prediction on when it comes to international competition.
In 2017 and 2018, Sweden won back-to-back IIHF titles. Since then, however, Sweden hasn’t won a medal or even finished fourth. It’s a disappointing result for a team that won three championships from 2013 to 2018.
That said, playing in a very beatable Group B puts Sweden in a decent position. Against this weak competition, Sweden will likely earn a top seed for the knockouts.
Projected Star Players
Sweden is another squad that falls victim to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Elias Pettersson is hoping to go on a long playoff run with the Vancouver Canucks. The same applies to Elias Lindholm and Filip Forsberg.
Loaded with terrific defensemen, Sweden could have been one of the most well-rounded teams at the 2024 IIHF World Championship. However, they could still have some of the most skilled defensemen at the tournament.
Depending on what happens to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ playoff chances, Erik Karlsson could make it to Europe earlier than expected. Karlsson and Rasmus Dahlin would be feared players on the blue line for Team Sweden.
That's a career-high 74 points for Jesper Bratt!@NJDevils | #NJDevils | #NHLTonight pic.twitter.com/F8Z3qHkXdU
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) April 3, 2024
The New Jerseys Devils’ Jesper Bratt figures to be a key cog offensively for Finland. The 25-year-old continues to improve and is a must-have for Sweden if they are going to have success.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Similar to their Scandinavian neighbor, I am not feeling so hot about Sweden’s offense. In the Olympics, it could be a whole different story, but this is always going to be a team predicated on defense regardless. The onus will be on Bratt to have a very special World Championship offensively.
In any case, Sweden should have a fairly stout blue line for the World Championship in 2024. Karlsson and Dahlin would be two of the best in the tournament, and they’re on the same roster together.
Additionally, with the Calgary Flames struggling, goaltender Jacob Markstrom is expected to be available. He was injured a few weeks ago but recently returned to the ice. The veteran’s presence would loom large on the ice and in the locker room for Sweden.
2024 IIHF World Championship Predictions and Betting Pick
According to TSN, Sidney Crosby and Bedard are strong possibilities for Team Canada at the World Championships4. The Penguins are on pace to miss the playoffs, while Bedard’s Blackhawks are out of the picture.
At 36 years old after another long season, will Crosby want to fly over to Czechia to play more hockey? We all know that he can, but his motivation could be questionable. That said, Bedard is 18 and still seeking to grow and develop as a player.
The chances of Bedard playing are stronger. If either of them participates, Canada is well-positioned to go on a deep run in this tournament. Although I am not too keen on their goaltending situation, offensively Team Canada will be in good form.
The two Islanders, Horvat and Barzal, joining Team Canada would be a major boost to their gold medal chances, too. In conclusion, depth should prevail, with Canada’s four lines all contributing to a championship run.
+265 on Canada winning the World Championship is too good of a price to pass up for the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, so I’m backing the favorite.
Where To Bet On The Hockey World Championships?
If you feel strongly about your 2024 Ice Hockey World Championship predictions, it’s only right to choose the best odds at BetOnline. With lucrative early betting markets and odds throughout the tournament, BetOnline is a smart choice to make your bets this spring.
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Sources
Connor Bedard Stats And News | NHL.com. Retrieved From “https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/player/connor-bedard-8484144”
Juuse Saros Stats And News | NHL.com. Retrieved From “https://www.nhl.com/predators/player/juuse-saros-8477424”
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen Stats And News | NHL.com. Retrieved From “https://www.nhl.com/sabres/player/ukko-pekka-luukkonen-8480045”
Andre Tourigny set to coach Canada at worlds; Crosby, Bedard roster possibilities | TSN.ca. Retrieved From “https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/andre-tourigny-set-to-coach-team-canada-at-worlds-crosby-bedard-roster-possibilities-1.2095758”
