For the latest NHL Odds, including NHL Futures and NHL player props, visit RotoWire's NHL Betting page. For up-to-date NHL player news and NHL Injury Report info, head to RotoWire's NHL Lineups page. You can find more picks at Bookies.com/picks. Here are our NHL Best Bets today, featuring expert NHL picks for an action-packed slate of games.
2026 Winter Olympics Women's Hockey: Medal Odds & Gold Pick Predictions
Top up your bankroll thanks to sportsbook promos like this BetMGM bonus code offering $150 in bonus bets.
The 2025-26 National Hockey League is on hold, and the women take the early spotlight at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
While the opening ceremonies do not get underway until Friday, we'll have women's hockey group play beginning on Thursday, with Sweden and Germany kicking off preliminary round action in Group B at 6:10 a.m. ET. Thursday is when we get our first look at Team USA, too, as it takes on Czechia at 10:40 a.m. ET in Group A action. Canada locks horns with Finland at 3:10 p.m. ET to close the first session, also in Group A play.
Let's get started with this season's best Over/Under point total picks.
Team USA Gold Medal Odds and Roster Strength (-155)
*All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Team USA is listed as the favorite to win gold at Milan-Cortina, but, as expected, Canada (+115) is right there with the second-shortest odds.
The American team consists of women's hockey pioneers Kendall Coyne Schofield and Hilary Knight, who have taken hockey to another level. Knight is playing in her fifth and final Olympic Games.
There is plenty of youth on the American side, too; however, as Laila Edwards, Taylor Heise and Abbey Murphy are ready to introduce themselves to the casual fans who might only watch the NHL. However, if you've been following the PWHL, you know a lot of the names on the USA roster. Tessa Janecke is another star in the making.
Boston Fleet netminder Aerin Frankel looks to backstop a long run to the gold medal for Team USA. And, while there is plenty of talk about Canada perhaps being the more attractive pick at plus-money, remember, the USA has won six consecutive meetings. Frankel's teammate, defender and assistant captain Megan Keller looks to frustrate opponents all tournament long.
While Team USA has 12 players making their Olympic debuts, including Frankel and backup tendy Gwyneth Philips of the Ottawa Charge, both players have plenty of talent on the big stage.
For Team USA, it's a nice mix of veteran leadership, as well as talented, quick and hungry younger players looking to write that next chapter. To be the champ, you have to beat the champ, and Team USA has the roster makeup to get over the hump against its rivals to the north.
Don't make any bets on your favorite sports betting apps without first consulting the latest NHL odds.
Team Canada Veteran Leadership and Value Picks (+115)
Of course, if you're looking for value, Canada at plus-money is the second-best play. The Canadians are the defending champs from the 2022 Winter Olympics, while also securing gold in four straight Olympics in 2002, 2006, 2010 and 2014.
It all starts and stops with veteran Marie-Philip Poulin. She seems to save her best for last, recording plenty of game-winning goals over the years, dating back to the 2010 Winter Olympics. They call her "Captain Clutch", and for good reason. She is almost like Justin Williams in the NHL playoffs, when he shone the most in Game 7s. When the intensity is at an all-time high, Poulin is "cool-in".
Like Team USA, Canada obviously has plenty of PWHL talent on display, too, including netminder Ann-Renee Desbiens, who leads the PWHL with a sparkling 1.15 GAA and .954 SV% for the Montreal Victoire. In fact, in her final appearance before the break, she blanked the Toronto Sceptres with 22 saves for her third shutout of the season.
The Canadians have plenty of offensive weapons, too, including Daryl Watts, who looks to make plenty of noise. Sophie Jaques and Julia Gosling are two players looking to explode on the scene, and my personal favorite, Natalie Spooner, is back for Canada, too.
Don't make any bets on your favorite sports betting apps without first consulting the latest NHL odds.
Sweden Group B Favorite with Podium Potential (-250)
Sweden has the benefit of not having to face either Canada, the USA or Finland in Group B play. It is the overwhelming favorite with Germany, Japan, France and Italy in its group.
It is a long shot to win the gold medal, and we're not going there. With Canada and the USA, it would be throwing money away. Sweden would do well simply to get onto the podium at Milan-Cortina.
The roster is littered with PWHL talent; however, Sara Hjalmarsson and Anna Kjellbin are starring for Toronto, while Lina Ljungblom plays for Montreal, and Maja Nylen Persson stars for New York. Emma Soderberg, formerly of the Boston Fleet, is in between the pipes, too.
And, while there isn't a ton of experience, there is a lot of talent, especially from the college level, with a trio of Ohio State players -- Mira Jungaker, Jenna Raunio and Hilda Svensson leading the charge.
MVP Contenders Spotlight Including Aerin Frankel - Team USA (+2500)
If you like Team USA to win the gold medal, you should also like the long odds of Frankel to earn MVP honors. You simply need to lay $4 to win $100. It's worth a roll of the dice, although we know this can be a popularity contest, and more heralded players like Poulin (+750), Knight (+1000) and Coyne Schofield (+1600) will certainly be a lot more popular as choices. Frankel will really need to stand on her head to come out on top.
