Olympics men’s hockey tournament preview
Ranking all 12 countries in the Olympics men’s hockey tournament from the contenders to the miracle needers.
Group play is over in the Olympics men’s hockey tournament. Here is how the bracket shapes out:
The Contenders
Sweden
Sweden finished first in group play, winning all three games in regulation and allowing just one goal. Goaltending is the most important aspect in single elimination tournaments and Sweden has two netminders who can steal games for them. Viktor Fasth is expected to be the starter for Sweden in the tournament. He stopped 35 of 36 shots in group play. Backup Jhonas Enroth pitched a shutout against Germany, stopping 28 shots.
Linus Omark led Sweden with five points, all assists, in group play. He and Anton Lander are the two forwards to watch for Sweden.
The problem for Sweden is that they don’t generate much offense. Their power play went 1-14 in group play, with the only power play goal coming via an empty net. If their power play turns it around, they become the most dangerous team in the tournament. But if it continues to falter, they’ll need more strong defensive play and timely saves from Fasth.
Olympic Athletes from Russia
The 3-2 loss to Slovakia did nothing but wake up the OAR. They went on to outscore Slovenia and USA 12-2 in the next two games. The game against Slovenia showed the kind of offensive firepower they have. The game against USA proved they could play 60 minutes in all three zones.
Ilya Kovalchuk, 34, and Pavel Datsyuk, 39, could walk onto any NHL team tomorrow and still be a top 6 forward. Kirill Kaprizov, 20, gives them fresh legs who can keep up with the star veterans.
The weakness for OAR comes in goal. Vasili Koshechkin looked unsettled against Slovakia. It’s possible that he, and the rest of OAR, suffered from overconfidence in that game. He looked sharper against Slovenia and stopped all 29 shots the Americans threw at him. They have the offensive firepower to bail out Kosheckhin if he struggles, but if he’s locked in, this tournament might be over before it starts.
There is a lot of pressure on OAR. They have not medaled since 2002 and have suffered disappointment after disappointment in recent years. They were the favorites prior to group play. That has not changed.
Solid Bets
Canada and Finland
Unfortunately for Canada or Finland, one of them will go home in the quarterfinals. Canada received a first round bye as the top second place qualifier, while Finland finished right behind them. Assuming Finland gets by South Korea, they’ll meet in what will be the must-see quarterfinal matchup.
Both teams scored 11 goals in group play. Canada went 5-11 on the power play in group play. Not to be outdone, Finland also scored five power play goals, albeit in 15 tries. Finland’s Eeli Tolvanen led all scorers in group play with six points.
It’s tough to get a read on Canada. They sleepwalked through a victory over South Korea in their final group play game and didn’t have to face Jonas Hiller when they defeated Switzerland 5-1. They outplayed Czech Republic, but fell in a shootout. It’s doubtful we’ve seen the best Canada has to offer.
They’ll have to be at their best again Finland, a team that works hard on every shift and punishes you for lazy play.
The winner of this quarterfinal matchup will head into the semifinals with a big confidence boost.
Live Underdogs
Czech Republic
Czech Republic flew under the radar a bit in group play. They were underwhelming against an overmatched South Korea squad, battled back to beat Canada in a shootout, and barely edged out Switzerland. Don’t be fooled by the 4-1 score in that game, the last two Czech goals came on an empty net.
Michal Repik led them in scoring with four points. Goalkeeper Pavel Francouz was strong, stopping 76 of 80 shots. Czech Republic should a distinct lack of discipline against Switzerland, something they must clean up in the quarterfinals.
The Czech’s have a clear structure and system, which is a big reason why they were so successful in group play. But as other teams get more reps together, that structure won’t carry them the way it did in in the first three games.
USA and Slovakia
One of these teams won’t make it past the qualifying round while the other will meet the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals. USA defeated Slovakia in group play, but it was a one goal that could have gone either way.
Slovakia is much better than their record indicates. They upset Olympic Athletes of Russia in the first game, played a 50/50 game against the United States, and fell to Slovenia in a shootout. All three games were one goal games. Being able to play with a sense of comfort in close games is a valuable trait.
United States will have to show the same fire they showed at the end of the OAR game is they want to move past the qualifying round. Young guys Ryan Donato and Jordan Greenway will have to continue to carry the load as the veterans simply have not produced for the US. Their defense in particular leaves a lot to be desired and Ryan Zaopolski has been up-and-down.
Whoever gets past the qualifying round will have arguably the easiest quarterfinal matchup against Czech Republic. That’s the positive. The negative is that their group play doesn’t inspire much confidence.
Small Hope
Slovenia and Switzerland
Led by Jan Mursak, Slovenia has been the surprise of the tournament. Their victories over USA and Slovakia put them second place in the group. They should get past Norway, but will see OAR in the quarterfinals. OAR smoked them 8-2 in group play.
Switzerland has a goaltender in Jonas Hiller who has big game experience and can steal games. If they get past Germany, they’ll meet Sweden in the quarterfinals. Hiller is good enough to keep them in that game and make things uncomfortably tense for Sweden.
Next: Gary Bettman really screwed up this whole Olympics hockey thing
The Rest
Germany, Norway, and South Korea
Norway and South Korea pose no real threat to their respective qualifying round opponents. Germany could surprise Switzerland and did play Sweden to a 1-0 loss in group play. None of these teams are good bets, but strange things happen in single elimination tournaments.