4 Nations Final: USA vs. Canada 'Most-Bet Hockey Game Of The Year'

By Bill Speros

Feb 20th, 2025 7:33 PM EDT

Used 34 Times Today

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose!
Promo Code: BOOKIES

Bonus Code

BOOKIES

Visit Site

Must be 21+ to participate (18+ in KY). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (CO, IL, IA, KY, KS, LA, MD, MO, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA). Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ). Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). CALL 1-877-770-STOP (LA). Must be present in LA (select parishes). Licensee partner Amelia Belle Casino. Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.

The Cold War between the United States and Canada goes nuclear on Thursday night at TD Garden in Boston.

The 4 Nations final between the 2 nations has morphed into a Game 7/Olympic Gold Medal-type final. Thanks to political developments off the ice, the crowd in Montreal added intensity to this matchup by booing the United States national anthem.

The patriotic fervor surrounding Thursday night’s final (8, ESPN) has also translated into the legal betting markets.

"We expect the USA-Canada final to be the most-bet hockey game of the year. Canada winning would be a good outcome for the sportsbook,” said BetMGM Senior Trader Christian Cipollini.

The Canadians opened as slight favorites in the final at the top sports betting apps, hovering around -120 on the moneyline until Wednesday.

Thursday’s game has been moved to the eventual pick 'em. That movement comes despite the absence of injured Team USA defenseman Charlie McAvoy on Thursday. His hit on Connor McDavid on Saturday set the tone for Team USA’s physical dominance of the Canadians.

Used 30 Times Today

$1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets If You Don't Win + $50 in BetMGM Rewards Points
Bonus Code: BOOKIESBRP1500

Bonus Code

BOOKIESBRP1500

Visit Site

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See http://BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Fights Trigger Viewing, Betting Interest

Here it is. World premiere of Tonight's bone chilling pregame open on ESPN.8pm eastern. Canada vs USA🇨🇦🇺🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/0rPf0CZRTr— BucciOT.Com (@Buccigross) February 20, 2025

The first game between these 2 teams on Saturday featured 3 separate fights in the first 9 seconds. Clips of the fights spread across social media. The game ended up drawing 10 million viewers across the United States and Canada. And it was the most-bet game hockey game of the year at BetMGM.

Public betting sentiment on Team USA-Team Canada final Thursday has tilted toward the Americans. Thus far, 52% of the moneyline and 66% of the puck line handle is backing Team USA.

The BetMGM puck line has Team Canada +1.5 at -275, and Team USA -1.5 at +220.

The total is 5.5 goals. There, 70% of the handle is on the over.

The trading market Kalshi, which offers markets on a variety of items in politics, culture, sports, and business, opened a market on the 4 Nations winner. As of Thursday, more than $303,000 worth of trades had been made. The USA is a slight favorite there at 52 cents per share vs. 49 cents for Canada.

The Americans were decided underdogs on Saturday before winning 3-1.

That game was Sidney Crosby’s first loss in 26 tries against Team USA international competition. A run that began with the Gold Medal game in the 2010 Olympics.

Used 26 Times Today

Bet Match Up to $250
Promo Code: BOOKIES250BM

Bonus Code

BOOKIES250BM

Visit Site

Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY or Washington, DC. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First wager after registration must qualify. Min. Odds: -500. Max. Bonus Bet: $250. Awarded as non-withdrawable Bonus Bet that expires 14 days after receipt. Bonus Bet amount not returned for winning bets. Void where prohibited. See http://Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, MO, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah's Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit http://mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit http://1800gambler.net ; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF; LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Caesars New Orleans), Washington, DC (OLG Class A licensed Operator): Call 1-800-522-4700. ©2025, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER DC, LA: Call 1-800-522-4700 MA: Call 1-800-327-5050 or visit http://gamblinghelplinema.org NY: Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369)

About the Author

Bill Speros

More About Bill

Bill Speros is an award-winning journalist and editor whose career includes stops at USA Today Sports Network / Golfweek, Cox Media, ESPN, Orlando Sentinel and Denver Post.