While not a classic rivalry, the USA and Czech Republic have produced several memorable encounters with varied outcomes in recent years. The Czechs still carry the sting of last year’s quarterfinal clash in Tampere, where they lost 0-3 to the Americans without much resistance. In 2022, the teams met twice at the World Championship, with the Czechs winning both: 1-0 in the group stage and an 8-4 thriller in the bronze medal game. Now, the Czechs have a significant advantage—home ice at Prague’s O2 Arena, with a supportive crowd. However, that pressure can also be a double-edged sword. Before the playoffs, Coach Radim Rulík received a major boost with the addition of Boston Bruins star David Pastrňák, sharply increasing their offensive firepower. The forward may still be finding his rhythm, but he is expected to make his presence felt against the Americans.
Moreover, the Czech team has faced some scoring issues. Against weaker opponents, they managed 6-7 goals, but against other playoff-bound teams, they netted only four goals, three of which came against Canada. The opening match against Finland ended 0-0 in regulation and overtime. Despite the NHL talent, the Czechs’ top scorer is 38-year-old Roman Červenka, who has played in Switzerland since 2016, while others lag behind. In contrast, the USA boasts the tournament’s best offense. The top three scorers are all Americans: Matthew Boldy (14 points), Brady Tkachuk (13 points), and Johnny Gaudreau (11 points). Coach John Hynes’s team recorded the tournament’s biggest win, 10-1 against Kazakhstan. Bookmakers see this as a close match, with a slight edge given to the USA.
– USA win: from 2.30 (Betcity) to 2.35 (Liga Stavok, Pari, Olimpbet)
– Czech Republic win: from 2.65 (Betcity) to 2.70 (Pari, Olimpbet)
