Finland vs. Sweden Prediction and Pick-4 Nations Face-Off
Finland faces Sweden in the four nations faceoff with both teams looking to rebound from rough losses. Finland played a close game through two periods but fell apart in the third to drop the game against the United States 6-1. Sweden went back and forth in their game against Canada but stumbled in overtime to lose their first game 4-3. Who will win this matchup? Check out our Finland vs Sweden prediction!
Finland Hopes Defense Rebounds After Embarrassing Loss
Finland entered this tournament as one of the underdogs and it showed in their first game with their offense struggling and scoring only one goal. Henri Jokiharju, Mikael Granlund, and Olli Maatta combined for a goal and two assists but the rest of the offense struggled. The hope is that Aleksander Barkov and Mikko Rantanen step up as they combined for 40 goals in the NHL season but looked hapless in the first game.
While the offense was a non-factor after the first period, the defense unraveled and let them down, allowing six goals with four in the third period. Esa Lindell and Niko Mikkola led the top pairing but the rest of the unit struggled, allowing the United States to find open shots on the net at will. Moreover, Juuse Saros struggled in the net, allowing six goals on 32 shots and it looks like Finland will turn to backup Kevin Lankinen for the upcoming game as a result.
Sweden Hopes Offense Carries Them
Sweden struggled in the first game but the offense stepped up, scoring a goal in the second period and two goals in the third period to force overtime and earn a point. Adrian Kempe and Joel Eriksson Ek scored two goals but the rest of the offense stepped up as well. Lucas Raymond and Jesper Bratt combined for three assists while defensemen Mattias Ekholm, Erik Karlsson, Jonas Brodin, and Victor Hedmen added a goal and three assists from the point to open up the offense. The offense looked great but the defense let them down in the first game, allowing four goals in the loss. Victor Hedman and Gustav Forsling anchored the top pairing but the rest of the unit struggled, allowing Canada to carry the puck into the offensive zone and easily find open shots on the net. In addition, goaltender Filip Gustavsson disappointed in net, allowing four goals on 28 shots, and hopes to rebound in the upcoming game.
Prediction: Sweden (-160)
Finland looks to rebound from a rough loss but Sweden looked better in the first game and looks to take over this one from the first period. Sweden should pile on the goals with Adrian Kempe, Joel Eriksson Ek, and the rest of the forward unit controlling the puck in the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. Sweden looks to rebound from a game where they allowed four goals and limit Finland’s offense, which scored only one goal in their recent game with Gustav Forsling, Victor Hedman, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone while limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Filip Gustavsson to make plenty of big saves. Sweden should win the game in a bounce-back performance following their recent loss. Take the Sweden money line as home Favorites.
Over 5.5
Both defenses have struggled and this game looks to be a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. Finland should create plenty of scoring chances against Sweden, who allowed four goals in their last game, with Mikael Granlund, Aleksander Barkov, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes.
