2022 Beijing Winter Games odds: Olympics expert reveals picks for men's hockey quarterfinals

The U.S. men's hockey team continues its pursuit of its third Olympic gold medal when it faces off against Slovakia on Tuesday in the first men's hockey quarterfinal game of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. The Americans, who last won gold in 1980, won all three of their preliminary-round contests to finish first in Group A and avoid playing in the qualification round. 

Led offensively by Sean Farrell, who is second in the tournament with six points, the Americans are 1.5-goal and -210 favorites in the latest U.S. vs. Slovakia odds. The game is scheduled to begin at 11:10 p.m. ET.

Before locking in any Beijing Olympics 2022 picks or predictions, you need to see what SportsLine's Olympics expert, Mike Tierney, has to say. (Head over to SportsLine's 2022 Olympics page for more analysis and updates.)

A national sportswriter whose work appears in The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, Tierney has covered nine Olympic Games in person. For Rio in 2016, Tierney profited big-time. He told readers to bet Over on Team USA's gold medal count (41.5) and Over on Team USA's overall medal count (102.5). The result? 46 golds, 121 medals and two easy cashes.

For the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, Tierney hit two of his three predictions: Germany (+200) to win the most gold medals and the United States winning Under 10.5 gold medals (+110). And at last year's Tokyo Games, he correctly predicted the United States would go Over 111.5 total medals (-110).

Now, Tierney has analyzed the men's hockey quarterfinal games on Tuesday and Wednesday from every possible angle and locked in four confident picks. You ABSOLUTELY need to see what it is before locking in any picks of your own.

Who wins U.S. vs. Slovakia and the other three quarterfinal games of the men's hockey tournament at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics? Join SportsLine right now to find out whom you should back, all from the expert who has crushed his Olympic picks!

Tierney's pick and analysis: 

Men's hockey, quarterfinals
U.S. vs. Slovakia (11:10 p.m. ET Tuesday)

U.S. -210

 A fast, forechecking approach has turned the young U.S. squad into the surprise of the tournament. It went unbeaten in group play, which paid off with a bye into the quarterfinals. The Americans own a plus-11 goal differential in large part because of their second-highest penalty-killing rate. Slovakia was impressive in dismantling Germany 4-0 in the qualification round, but that only evened its goal differential after winning just once in the group phase. The bye afforded the U.S. a chance to rest and prepare for the knockout round, while the Slovaks face a quick turnaround.

Odds: Caesars

Men's hockey, quarterfinals
ROC vs. Denmark (1 a.m. ET Wednesday)

Under 5.5 (-139)

The preliminary-round result makes it an obvious call. A single goal was scored until five seconds remained as ROC posted a 2-0 victory over Denmark, which managed just 16 shots on goal. In their opener, the Russians won 1-0 against Switzerland. Its 6-5 loss to the Czech Republic to conclude group play is an outlier. Denmark's other results were 2-1, 5-3 and 3-2 victories. A goal-starved game awaits.

Odds: Caesars

Men's hockey, quarterfinals
Finland vs. Switzerland (3:40 a.m. ET Wednesday)

Finland -215

Finland didn't lose during group play and Switzerland didn't win. The Swiss awakened in the qualification round by defeating the Czech Republic 4-2, but they had never led by two goals in the tournament. The Finns accumulated 13 goals during the preliminary round, second only to the United States. Finland's firepower should be on full display after coming off a welcome break, while Switzerland was forced to play on Tuesday morning. 

Odds: Caesars

Men's hockey, quarterfinals
Sweden vs. Canada (8:30 a.m. ET Wednesday)

Sweden -0.5 goals (+132)

Great odds on the Swedes, given Canada's lack of NHL players and easy road to the quarterfinals. Two of the Canadians' four wins were against China, the tournament's bottom dweller, with another coming against soft-touch Germany. Although Sweden suffered one loss (Finland, 4-3), it built a 3-0 lead before collapsing. Perhaps Canada's rich tradition will help it rise to the occasion, but the 4-2 loss to an inexperienced Team USA illuminated the fact that this is a stripped-down roster representing the Great White North.

Odds: FanDuel

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