Manuel Chávez
Dailysports's expert
On May 22, four games are scheduled at the Ice Hockey World Championship. One of the quarterfinal clashes features USA taking on Finland. Here’s my exclusive prediction for this showdown.
- See also: Defensa y Justicia vs Newell’s Old Boys prediction, H2H and probable lineups - May 23, 2025
USA
The Americans have, as usual, arrived with a young, ambitious, and talented squad, though many players still lack experience in tournaments of this magnitude. The team kicked off the competition with dominant wins, thrashing Denmark 5-0 and making light work of Hungary with a 6-0 victory. However, their first real test came against Switzerland, and Team USA stumbled, losing 0-3.
The matchup with Norway turned out to be unexpectedly tough. Leading 5-1, the Americans let the game slip into overtime but ultimately prevailed 6-5. The psychologically crucial match came in the final group stage against the Czechs, where the USA delivered a strong 5-2 win. As a result, they finished second in their group.
Finland
For Finland, almost every game in this tournament has been a genuine battle. The only exception was the rout against Slovenia, where the Finns cruised to a 9-1 win. They also eked out hard-fought 2-1 victories over Austria, Slovakia, and Latvia. Against France, Finland staged a dramatic comeback—down 1-3, they rallied to win 4-3 in overtime.
The Finns couldn’t hold off Sweden, suffering a 1-2 defeat. Their main achievement, though, was a shootout win over Canada—an important psychological boost, even if it came in penalties. Finland finished third in their group and remain a dangerous opponent for anyone.
H2H
The last time these teams met at the World Championships was in 2023, when the Americans triumphed 4-1. Their most recent encounter was at the Four Nations Tournament, where Finland fell 1-6.
Prediction
This is a clash between two powerhouse national teams, with the USA entering as favorites. The Finns are used to the underdog role—they know how to absorb pressure and pounce on rare chances. In this matchup, I’m backing Suomi with a +1.5 goal handicap.
