USA vs. China: 2022 Olympic Hockey Live-Stream Schedule, Odds and Pick

The United States men's hockey team is expected to cruise to a victory in its 2022 Winter Olympics opener. 

China is the first opponent for the Americans in Group A in Beijing, in a matchup that should ease the young team into the competition.

The United States need a win on Thursday morning because there is a tough path ahead in Group A to finish in the top two.

Canada and Germany are also in the group. All of those squads have been weakened by the absence of NHL players, but the three teams should still be very competitive in the group stage.

China's roster is made up of 15 foreign-born players who have played together on the Kunlun Red Stars in the KHL. Jake Chelios, the son of NHL great Chris Chelios, is one of the Americans on the Chinese roster. 

USA vs. China Info

Date: Thursday, February 10

Start Time: 8:10 a.m. ET 

TV: USA Network

Live Stream: NBCOlympics.com and Peacock

Game Odds

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread: United States (-2.5) 

Over/Under: 6

Money Line: United States (-1000; bet $1000 to win $100); China (+550; bet $100 to win $550) 

Pick

United States 4, China 1

The USA-China matchup presents a strange dynamic for some of the players. 

China has a handful of American-born players, who were recruited to help the host nation be competitive in the men's hockey tournament, on its roster. 

The host nation would have been at a much greater disadvantage if NHL players had been eligible for the tournament. 

There is still a significant mismatch on paper between the USA and China, but the hosts may be more competitive than expected in the first period as the Americans look to find a rhythm together and the players shake out any Olympic nerves. 

The one advantage China has is that all of its players have chemistry from their time in the KHL. Brandon Yip, a Canadian on the Chinese roster, talked about the dynamic within the group, per Steve Keating of Reuters.

"Everyone knows we've been together for many years so that is one thing that is going to be a home court advantage for sure," he said. "Other teams have kind of been thrown together last minute. We are going to take advantage of that."

The lack of chemistry between the long-time pros and college players in the American squad could see China stay in the contest for a period before the talent takes over. 

Matty Beniers, 19, is the player U.S. fans should have their eyes on from the start of the tournament. 

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NHL draft by the Seattle Kraken has the potential for a breakout tournament on the international stage. 

Beniers, who plays at Michigan, is the youngest player on a U.S. roster that features six players aged 31 or older. 

Goalie Pat Nagle is the oldest member of the squad at 34, and he has spent most of his career in the AHL and ECHL.

That is a similar theme for most of the American players. Some of them took the step to go overseas to play professionally as well. 

The lack of NHL talent will eventually hurt the U.S., but it should have enough skill to overpower the Chinese defense. 

China is ranked 32nd in the world in men's hockey and it did not have to face any tough matchups in qualifying since it automatically entered as the host country.

The Americans should win by multiple goals and gain some needed confidence ahead of their clashes with Canada and Germany.