Sean Maloney
To the surprise of no one, a tight two-way race has emerged atop the odds to win the gold medal in Women’s Hockey tournament at the 2022 Winter Olympics. Canada leads the way in their bid to reclaim their Olympic hockey dominance, perched as -120 favorites at Bovada, while USA sits as a close +100 second favorite to repeat as Olympic gold medal winners.
MyTopSportsbooks takes a look at all the odds and trends ahead of the 2022 Winter Olympics, which are scheduled to begin in Beijing, China on February 4. Sports bettors getting in on Olympic betting action for the first time should refer to our handy guides to the best rated online sportsbooks, and on betting on the Beijing Olympics 2022.
| Olympic Women's Hockey Odds |  |  |
| Canada | -120 | -110 |
| USA | +100 | -105 |
| Finland | +1600 | +1600 |
| Russian Olympic Committee | +4000 | +3300 |
| Switzerland | +6600 | +5000 |
| Sweden | +8000 | +5000 |
| Japan | +15000 | +6500 |
| Czech Republic | +20000 | +6500 |
| Denmark | +50000 | +15000 |
| China | +100000 | n/a |
The Fiercest Rivalry in Hockey Rekindled
After watching their archrivals from north of the border claim the top of the podium in five straight editions of the Winter Olympics, the United States was finally able to end Canada’s dominance four years ago. In what is remembered as one of the most exciting clashes between the two most talented women’s hockey teams on Earth, the Americans sealed their victory with a 3-2 shootout victory in the gold medal game. But defending the Olympic title will be easier said than done for Team USA.
The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic gold medal game between Canada and USA is counted among the top women’s ice hockey games in history. We spoke with players from both teams as they get set for a rematch at the #WomensWorlds in Espoo. Story: https://t.co/K4fcFNlf9q pic.twitter.com/hlIkAZBc9v
— IIHF (@IIHFHockey) April 6, 2019
The Americans’ victory in Pyeyongchang kicked off a steady stretch of success in head-to-head play with Canada that has produced wins in eight of their subsequent 13 meetings. However, the tide has since shown signs of turning, with the Canadians reclaiming the mantle of World Champions in 2021 after watching the Americans march to victory in each of the five preceding editions of the tournament.
“There’s nothing like suiting up, throwing the jersey on, and going out there with all the pride on the line.”
For @usahockey and @HockeyCanada, the Rivalry Series is just a taste of what’s to come.@Weesesports on where the teams stand ahead of the Olympics:
— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) December 3, 2021
Canada also held a clear edge of the United States in the recent NWT Rivalry Series. The Canadians took four of six from the US in the highly anticipated clash, with each of their four victories coming on American ice. And with Canada heading to Beijing with their World Championship roster largely intact, they remain the team to beat. However, with these teams so closely matched, picking a winner is not for the faint of heart. But with that said, it is tough to ignore the value the USA offers as a second favorites at the sportsbooks.
Finland Emerges as Best of the Rest
The spotlight remains squarely fixed on the United States and Canada as the Olympic Women’s Hockey tournament approaches. However, there is no shortage of teams eager to spoil the party in Beijing. Most notable among them is Finland, who most closely trail the USA and Canada as a +1600 to win gold.
The USA defeated Finland in a shootout in the gold-medal game of the 2019 IIHF Women’s World Championship for their FIFTH CONSECUTIVE gold medal!
Fantastic game, thanks to NHL Network and USA Hockey for the highlights!#IIHFWomensWorlds #StickTogether pic.twitter.com/MrKCpYU3kg
— Hockey Daily 365 (@HockeyDaily365) April 15, 2019
In addition to reaching the podium in seven of the past 10 editions of the Women’s World Hockey Championships, the Finns are also the only nation other than the North American powerhouses to ever appear in a World Championship gold medal game. In 2019, Finland earned the right with a stunning 4-2 win over Canada in the semi-finals before dropping a narrow 2-1 decision to USA in gold medal action.
The Finns once again showed clear indicators that they have set themselves apart from other rising hockey powers at the 2021 World Championships. The squad allowed just one goal in dates with opponents other than USA and Canada, and forced the Canadians to overcome an early two-goal deficit to earn a 5-3 win group stage play.
Canada’s first women’s world hockey championship game in over two years was a hard-fought 5-3 win over Finland, and the battle felt like sweet relief for Canadian captain Marie-Philip Poulin.https://t.co/fXQpzGPxev
— CTV Edmonton (@ctvedmonton) August 21, 2021
Ultimately, the Finns were once again forced to settle for bronze. But given the tremendous progress their program has made, it is only a matter of time until they reach the top of the podium. That alone makes them worthy of a value wager ahead of the Olympic tournament.
Best Bets: USA to win gold (+100)
