2022 USA vs. Germany odds, line: Spread pick for Sunday's men's hockey game from Olympics expert

The U.S. men's hockey team can clinch the top spot in Group A and a bye into the quarterfinals when it squares off against Germany in a Group A preliminary round game on Sunday at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing. Team USA is a -350 moneyline favorite in the latest USA vs. Germany odds from Caesars Sportsbook, while the Over/Under for total goals is 5.5. The opening faceoff is set for 8:10 a.m. 

Before locking in any Germany vs. USA picks or Beijing Olympics 2022 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).

The Americans have been the most prolific team so far in Beijing. Behind their combination of speed and skill, they have scored 12 goals in the tournament (while giving up just two). The next best teams have been Finland and the Czech Republic (nine). By contrast Germany has scored just four goals.

But the Germans face a United States team that struggled on special teams against Canada. On Friday the Americans went 0-for-2 on the power play and had difficulty creating shot opportunities. In addition, they gave up a shorthanded goal that allowed the Canadians to get back into the game.

Now, Tierney has analyzed Sunday's game. We can tell you that he is leaning Over 5.5 goals, but his stronger play is on one side. He knows a crucial x-factor that makes one side a must-back. You ABSOLUTELY need to see what he has to say before locking in your picks. 

Who wins USA vs. Germany on Sunday? And what x-factor makes one side a must-back? 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, USA vs. Germany (8:10 a.m. ET)
USA -1.5 goals (-115)

A letdown following Team USA's 4-2 win over Canada is a bigger threat than the German squad itself. The Germans have been drubbed by Canada 5-1 and barely got by China 3-2, in contrast to the Americans' 8-0 blowout of the Chinese. Given the U.S.' lack of experience and temptation to take the Germans lightly, the money line (-350) is steep. The puck line is the safer option as a multigoal difference is likely if both sides play to their Olympics form.

Odds: Caesars

Looking for the best picks against the spread, sharp action on the total and props you can take to the window? Join Jonathan Coachman on the Early Edge as he speaks with SportsLine's top handicappers to preview every day's biggest games. We promise to keep it short, sweet and to put some green in your pocket. Early Edge is under 10 minutes and in your feed every single day by 11 AM ET. Download right here or wherever you get your podcasts.