Why Canada? They have played two bad teams so far and weren't all that convincing against Norway. They are finally playing some decent competition right now, but the win by the USA against Russia should count for something. We beat a very good team. Canada has yet to really beat anyone that could be competitive for a medal in this tournament.
Canada is the most talented team and hasn't done anything to disprove that. They played two bad teams and won. US/Russia was a draw, I don't consider that game to be any kind of impressive win. Canada is going to be in the quarterfinals, and thus they have to be considered the favorite. Most talented team and they avoided the knockout round.
From my vantage point, a semi-final against Sweden is better than one against Canada or Russia. For that to happen, Canada or Finland would need to win this game in regulation. If Finland wins in OT or a SO, Sweden gets the one seed, USA gets two, Finland gets three, Canada gets four and Russia gets five. That would be great for the USA to potentially play a semi-final against Finland, and would be great to watch Canada and Russia in the quarterfinals. Canada winning in OT or a SO would be disastrous for the USA. We would potentially have to play them in the semi-finals because we would get the two seed and they would get the three seed. I would rather play Sweden/Finland in the semi's and then play Canada in the final than play Canada in the semi's and then have Russia potentially waiting in the final's if we got past Canada.
I don't think it's that big a deal because Canada/Finland/Sweden/Russia are all strong and you're almost certainly going to have to beat two of them. I agree that I'd rather not do Canada and then Russia but it's not as significant as you're making it sound. I would say you don't want to face Canada before the gold medal game because of the medal situation. Play them too early and you stand a good chance of having a bronze or nothing at all. So in that respect I agree that it's important to avoid them until the end.
Crosby takes a dive and Selanne lets him know about it. Love it Doughty scores a power play goal off the Crosby dive. Doughty playing great for Canada so far..both goals have been shelfers in the tourney from Doughty
They have the most talent, but I am comfortable with the USA's talent on the top lines and top d-pair against Canada's crazy depth. I'd say that we also have a slight advantage in net. Once you get down to the bottom six and the second and third defensive pairs, Canada definitely has a huge talent advantage, but I really don't think Canada has such a big advantage in the top six and the top defensive pair. JVR/Pavelski/Kessel might be the best line in the Olympics right now.
I just don't want Canada and then Russia. If its Canada and then Finland/Sweden, then I am fine with that. I don't really care when we play Canada. I consider this Olympics to be a gold medal or bust, so whether we claim the silver or bronze doesn't really matter to me. Getting Sweden/Finland and then playing Canada is really no different than playing Canada and then Sweden/Finland. You'd obviously prefer the silver over the bronze, but I just don't see it mattering. I just want to avoid Canada and then Russia because I think emotionally it would be too difficult to get up for the semi's against Canada and the finals against Russia.
Canada has the best group of skaters, but I think the USA's core group of attackers and top defensive pair is just as good as anything Canada has. If Bylsma is stupid enough to roll four lines and three pairs then Canada would have an advantage, but if Suter/McDonagh are seeing 30 minutes against Canada and the top two lines are seeing 20+ minutes, then I don't see Canada having a huge talent advantage on the ice. Of course this is all speculation, and we have to win the games before we would play Canada, but I'm not too worried about Canada having such a huge talent advantage because I think it could be negated by giving the top guys very big minutes.
Way they're playing they could probably get it done. Finland is injury riddled I'm expecting a win here for the boys.
If Canada does have a weakness, it's their goaltending. Carey Price is having a good year but Luongo? Would loveeee to see him forced into action. US has the advantage in net.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...ssian-coach-alexander-radulov-hockey/5509985/ SOCHI, Russia – Forward Alexander Radulov fractured his relationship with the Nashville Predators when he was in the NHL and now he has at least temporarily fallen out of favor with Russian coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov. "Yes, he needs to be scratched among other things," Bilyaletdinov said through a Olympics-supplied translator. Radulov was in the penalty box for both of the USA's power play goals in its 3-2 win against the Russians (1-0-1). He played almost 21 minutes and produced one shot on goal. His two penalties were for hooking and cross-checking. "We expected more of Radulov," Bilyaletdinov said. "He didn't live up to our expectations." ======== I wonder if the "other things" include a trip to Siberia and/or the gulag.
What's funny is Radulov wasn't scratched and was the first shooter for Russia in the shootout. And he scored a filthy goal. Finland ties it at 1-1 heading into the 3rd. Canada is not the best team in this tournament.
Weird. He wasn't in the US/Russia shootout at all. Surprising change. No Malkin or Datsyuk today. It was Radulov and then Kovalchuk and that's all they needed.
US gets the 2 spot, will need to get past either the Finns or Canada to get to the gold medal game. Loser here will probably have to face Russia and then if they win probably the Swedes. I would rather they face the Finns but both will be tough.
uhoh Czech Republic is facing Slovakia Could get ugly. The survivor there faces the US. Whoever advances will probably be in no condition to beat the Americans. Russia will play Finland after they beat Norway.
