LAS VEGAS — (AP) — The players have been emotionally invested in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and sports bettors have noticed and followed suit.
Money has been pouring in on the tournament, and the championship on Thursday night in Boston — a rematch between the United States and Canada — is drawing large betting handles.
BetMGM Sportsbook trading manager Christian Cipollini said betting was on par with the Stanley Cup playoffs. The U.S. and Canada game on Saturday, which the Americans won 3-1, took in more action than Game 2 or 3 of last year’s final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, Cipollini said.
“Every single one of these games has been the most bet-on game of this NHL season,” he said.
At Caesars Sportsbook, head of hockey Karry Shreeve, said the 4 Nations games are receiving at least four times the bets of regular-season contests and the U.S.-Canada matchup attracted eight times the handle.
And to compare it to last season’s NHL …