The Germany men's national ice hockey team, regarded as the second favourites in Group C, finished in that position but in an unconvincing manner. They are expected to beat the France men's national ice hockey team in the qualification round.
Germany
They finished second in Group C, collecting only three points from their win over the Denmark men's national ice hockey team (3:1). Thanks to a complicated tiebreaker, they managed to finish ahead of their northern neighbours on head-to-head record and also finished above the Latvia men's national ice hockey team, to whom they lost 3:4 in overtime. Most of their problems come on special teams: they are second from bottom on the power play (11.11%) and last on the penalty kill (50%).
France
Despite all their issues, they were fortunate to draw the weakest defensive side, the France men's national ice hockey team. Their save percentage of 89.69% looks solid compared with their opponents' much worse 84.25%. Under Yorick Treille, the French have been conceding at least four goals per game (0:4 against the Switzerland men's national ice hockey team), and against the Canada men's national ice hockey team the score reached double figures (2:10).
Germany vs France Prediction
Given all this, they have a strong chance to win and to score clearly more than their opponents, as they did at the 2024 IIHF World Championship (6:3), which is why we opt for a combo bet. It is time for Leon Draisaitl, who has only 1+2 so far, to step up.
