- Matthews at +130 to score offers value after netting a goal in the opener and displaying elite form with a recent hat trick
- Nelson’s +1200 odds for two goals becomes enticing given his two-goal Latvia performance and favorable matchups on the fourth line
- USA shutout at +230 is backed by Hellebuyck’s .944 save percentage and last year’s 5-0 World Championship win over Denmark.
MILAN, ITALY – Team USA’s men’s hockey squad got their 2026 Olympic tournament started on the right foot Thursday night, crushing Latvia 5-1 in a performance that showed they can hang with anyone in the medal race, including Canada. The way the Americans dominated play from start to finish has caught the eye of those looking to place wagers ahead of Saturday’s matchup with Denmark.
Top Betting Picks for USA vs Denmark:
- Auston Matthews Anytime Goalscorer -118
- Brock Nelson to Score 2+ Goals +1200
- Both Teams to Score – No +230
Matthews Primed for Another Goal
On Saturday, legal sports betting sites have Austin Matthews listed at +130 to score against Denmark. The Toronto captain already found the net in the Latvia game and continues getting ice time in offensive situations where he can hunt for goals rather than focus on playing defense in his own zone.
Matthews demonstrated that he had returned to the offensive form that made him one of hockey’s top goal scorers by scoring a hat trick for Toronto only days before the Olympics. In their first game, Germany scored three goals thanks to the Danes’ poor defensive play. Denmark’s defenses will have a difficult time keeping his deadly one-timer from the circle in check because Matthews is predicted to receive a lot of ice time on the man advantage.
Nelson’s Hot Streak Creates Value
Olympic betting sites give Brock Nelson +1200 odds to score two goals or more versus Denmark. The Colorado center, who now has two goals in one Olympic game, could have had four after hitting the post and having another attempt denied due to goalkeeper misconduct.
Together with Jack Hughes and J.T. Miller, Nelson is centering a fourth line, which causes mismatches with Denmark’s depth defenders. In their first defeat against Germany, Denmark’s goalie Frederik Andersen recorded a meager .885 save percentage, but 6-foot-4 Nelson’s net-front presence proved unbeatable against Latvia.
Shutout Backed by Recent History
At the 2025 IIHF World Championship, Team USA defeated Denmark 5-0 on Danish ice, despite having a far inferior team.
Bovada is providing +230 on a USA shutout in regulation in order to profit from Connor Hellebuyck’s outstanding goalkeeping.
The goalie for the Jets posted a .944 save percentage versus Latvia and took home the Vezina and Hart Trophy the previous season. Despite Denmark scoring just one goal against Germany and up against the far superior USA defense, NHL sportsbooks are pricing this wager at odds better than 2-to-1.
