Welcome to Last Word On Hockey’s Olympic Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at Team USA battling Team Denmark. Don’t forget to check out more Olympic Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the Olympics.
Winter Olympic Hockey Predictions
Germany vs Latvia
International Head-to-Head Record: USA leads 8-1
Time: 3:10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), 12:10 p.m. Pacific
How to Watch: In Canada: SN, CBC, CBC Gem, TSN
In the United States: USA Network, Peacock
We open up Olympic hockey predictions with a Group C game between Germany and Latvia. The Germans are coming off a 3-1 win over Denmark in the Olympic opener. Team captain and Edmonton Oilers standout Leon Draisaitl opened the scoring just 23 seconds into the game. Ottawa Senators sniper Tim Stutzle registered a pair of goals in the victory.
However, the big story was Seattle Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer made 37 saves in the win. However, one wonders if he’ll be saved for the Group C finale against the United States. This game could see Maximilian Franzreb or Mathias Niederberger get the call. However, always check out social media to see who gets the start.
Latvia hung with the United States for one period. However, a four-goal outburst allowed the Americans to pull away for the victory. Renars Krastenbergs scored the goal that tied the game for the Latvians.
Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzļikins held strong for the first period-and-a-half. However, the United States pulled away in the second period, and we saw Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs played the third period.
Germany was outshot by Denmark in the first game, but the two goals by Stutzle were the deciding factor. This will be a tough game. However, the Germans should get the win.
Prediction: Germany wins 4-2.