Canada and Finland are preparing for what promises to be an exciting matchup in Group A of the 2025 World Hockey Championship. The game is scheduled for Monday, May 19, at Stockholm's Avichi Arena, with puck drop at 23:20 local time.
The Canadians have impressed in the tournament so far, showing strong form as they confidently advance toward the quarterfinals. Finland, while expected to qualify for the playoffs, hasn't displayed the same level of dominance as their North American counterparts.
Bookmakers have installed Canada as clear favorites, offering odds of 1.49 for a Canadian victory in regulation time. Finland enters as underdogs with odds of 5.35 for a regulation win. Experts anticipate a moderately high-scoring affair, with the over 5.5 goals line priced at 1.85.
Canada's head coach Dean Evason has assembled a roster that effectively blends experience with youth. Veteran defensemen Brandon Montour, Travis Sanheim, and Jared Spurgeon anchor the blue line, while the offensive attack features established stars Nathan MacKinnon and Bo Horvat working alongside promising 23-year-olds Tyson Foerster and Will Cuylle.
One interesting question for Canada is who will get the start in goal – Marc-Andre Fleury or Jordan Binnington. The coaching staff might opt to rest Binnington for the upcoming playoff rounds.
Finland, under coach Antti Pennanen, has shown some vulnerability, notably requiring overtime to defeat France despite controlling much of that game. While Canada boasts multiple offensive weapons, Finland relies heavily on Seattle Kraken star Eeli Tolvanen to lead their attack. Statbet analysts note that Finland's balanced age distribution across their lineup could be a key factor in whether their depth players can support their top line against elite competition.
Recent history favors the Canadians, who defeated Finland 4-1 and 5-3 in the previous two world championships. Despite Finland's typical defensive approach against stronger teams, their matchups with Canada tend to produce higher goal totals.
Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games during the group stage, suggesting we could see another offense-heavy contest. Given the historical scoring trends between these nations, many hockey experts are expecting at least five goals in what should be a compelling battle between two hockey powerhouses.
