Yes, I did say Canada was the favorites because of the home-ice advantage, but something tells me that this Swede team plays spoiler.
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Though Canada’s all-around depth is formidable, replacing a 25-minute defenseman in Keith, the Art Ross Trophy runner-up in Benn and a point-per-game forward in Seguin is no easy fix. Since the preliminary games started last week, I have watched more of the 4-letter than I have in the past three months combined. Canada won in overtime, 3-2. Price hasn’t played competitive hockey for almost a year but if he fails, Braden Holtby steps up.
Czech Republic – Missing injured NHLers Tomas Hertl, David Krejci and Radko Gudas could mean “Czech mate”. This article was written while watching the last prelim game between Canada and Russian Federation, so the information will already be dated by the time it posts. Likely No. 1 goalie Michal Neuvirth is going to be a busy man between the pipes. Team Canada coach Mike Babcock stands behind Joe Thornton (97) and Ryan Getzlaf (15) on the bench during the first period of a World Cup of Hockey exhibition game against Team Russia in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016.
Scoring shouldn’t be a problem, though the blue line looks thin and aging.
On defense, Chara will be joined by 38-year-old Mark Streit, 35-year-old Dennis Seidenberg, and 34-year-old Christian Ehrhoff. The Canadians should be playing for first place in the group. It remains to be seen whether he will wear out his players with games coming in quick succession.
“He likes to play with guys with speed and guys with hockey sense”, Babcock said.
Picking Laine was a risk, though he earned it by scoring seven goals and adding five assists in 10 games at the world hockey championship in the spring. Opponents have continued to exploit large seams left by American shorthanded units. Those are owner concerns, not player concerns.
Every country has its way of assembling a roster to take on a loaded Canadian lineup that will have the two best goalies in the world in Carey Price and Braden Holtby. While Kessel eventually underwent offseason hand surgery, he may have delayed the procedure to represent his country.
“I think he’s just good in every area”, Crosby said of Bergeron.
Finland – The Finns play an in-your-face style, but are missing firepower. It is brimming with youth, including Winnipeg Jets sensation Patrik Laine, Panthers center Aleksander Barkov as well as young defenders like Olli Maatta and Sami Vatanen. Pavel Datsyuk of Team Russia beat Getzlaf on the faceoff and got the puck to Ovechkin for a one-timer. But that time isn’t now.
Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, of Finland, echoed Toews’ sentiments.
The tournament, concocted by the National Hockey League and its players association to raise the stakes of global play, will feature eight teams – Canada, United States, Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, North America (comprised of the NHL’s top 23-and-younger players from the continent) and a European All-Star team. As is the surplus of mobile defensemen who can lead the rush and unleash cannon shots. Those spotters will have the authority to remove players from games.
Goaltender: Matt Murray (Pittsburgh Penguins).
Russia – Alex Ovechkin, Artemi Panarin and Vladimir Tarasenko lead a deep collection of goal scorers.
Sweden – A 1-1-1 pretournament record correctly reflects how out of tune Sweden has looked heading into the group stage.
“Let’s say you’re in the middle of game 1 and you’re down two – in a playoff series, it’s about poise, composure and you’ve got to work your way back”, North American co-GM Peter Chiarelli said. Lundqvist has a history of thriving under pressure and reported to camp in the best shape he’s been in three years, trimming down to 185 pounds. The way guys – when it’s the time to do the right things they just do them. This group should be able to get it together once games matter.
Russia, captained by Alex Ovechkin, have dipped slightly when it comes to global play but they possess some of the best offensive weapons in the tournament while the United States will rely on goaltending where they have three of the world’s best in Jonathan Quick, Cory Schneider and Ben Bishop.
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September 24: Group A victor faces Group B’s second-place team in the first semifinal at 7 p.m.
