Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the IIHF World Championship match.
Clashes between Canada and Finland have become a regular feature of recent World Championships, with the two sides meeting in the finals of 2019, 2021, and 2022. This time, however, there’s a notable gap in form between the squads. Canada are cruising through the group stage, offering their opponents little resistance, while Finland are focused on solidifying their defence and securing a place in the knockout round.
Canada
Canada have enjoyed a flawless tournament so far: five wins from five games and a staggering 26:2 goal difference. They have been ruthless—7:0 against Slovakia, 5:0 against France, and 5:1 against Austria. Their power play has been especially effective, converting 7 of 16 opportunities for a tournament-best 43.7% success rate. They don’t need to dominate possession; their squad depth and rotation help maintain a relentless pace. The lineup is packed with NHL talent—Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon have combined for 19 points (10+9), while Jordan Binnington and Marc-André Fleury have delivered standout performances in net.
Finland
Finland, by contrast, have opted for a more conservative strategy. In five group matches, they’ve conceded just eight goals—one of the best defensive records in the tournament. However, their offensive output has been limited: in four of their five games, they failed to score more than three goals. Conceding three times to a modest France side raised concerns, and their only loss came against Sweden (1:2), where they were heavily outshot (19-41).
Canada vs Finland Prediction
Heading into this encounter, Canada are firm favourites. They are in superb form and averaging 5.2 goals per game. Finland are playing to stay in contention, but it’s hard to see them coping with such an attacking barrage.
