I'm going out on a limb here, but here's how I think the Olympic hockey tournament is gonna shake out.
Gold: The Russians will take home the gold, in the grudge match to end all grudge matches. The saying in the NHL is "defense wins Cups," but I'm thinking offensive firepower will be the key in the Olympics. The Russians have that in spades with Ovechkin, Malkin, Datsyuk, and Kovalchuk. They also have two outstanding goaltenders in Nabokov and Bryzgalov. The Russians are coming off of two consecutive world championships and they are motivated.
Silver: Canada. Have you ever seen an entire nation go through the grieving process? You're about to, and the anger phase will be ug-lee. There will be goats aplenty but expect Mike Babcock to take most of the heat. I'm suspicious of the Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley line, mainly because two-thirds of that particular line have a tendency to collapse under pressure. I'm also thinking we might see another Brodeur meltdown. Crosby will more than likely be spectacular yet again, but he has consistently come out on the short end of the stick when going head-to-head with Ovechkin.
Bronze: Sweden, in a squeaker over Team USA. I'm going with experience and depth over youthful exuberance here. The Swedes took it all in 2006... and they just might do it again in Vancouver but I think not. But the Sedin twins, Zetterberg, Franzen, and Lundqvist in goal will be more than enough for Bronze. That and the fact Peter Forsberg has something to prove in what is likely to be his last hurrah. The fly in the ointment could be USA goalie Ryan Miller, who has been hotter than hot of late.
So there ya have it. But any one of the three teams I've picked could win the gold, depending on how the puck bounces. That's the beautiful thing about hockey. This tournament will be a joy to watch.
My oh my.
ReplyDeleteI don't like your predictions Buck!!! Home ice advantage and the insane drive and desire to prove the world wrong... you'll see.
CANADA GOLD!!!
Impressed tho with the fact that you have USA in 4th position. Huh. Interesting. Wonder if you'll get any flack for that!?
;0)
I'm a realist, KC. Nothing would make me happier (well, that's a bit of a stretch) than to see the US win it all. But there's a decided lack of talent and experience.
ReplyDeleteABC...Anybody But Canada :)
ReplyDeleteGo Yanks!
I think I agree, Buck. Canada/Russia is a toss-up for me, but Sweden in the 3 spot seems accurate.
ReplyDeleteUSA 4th? Probably. I see us as a team that could just as easily upset Canada or Russia as it could go down to Slovakia or Finland in a disappointment. But it will say a lot about what we have on tap for the next winter games.
Andy: Yeah... Canada/Russia is a toss-up for me, as well. My heart is with the Canadians but my head sez the Russians are just too powerful this time around. The news this morning is Getzlaf is healthy and will make the Canadian team. That could be all the Canucks need.
ReplyDeleteThe other thing to consider is the quality of the respective defenses, and I'll give Sweden the edge there, for what should be obvious reasons. ;-)
I agree that we... USA... have great potential for 2014.
Pat: What do you have against Canada?
As I haven't followed Hockey in years, I'll trust to your predictions. With that said, I can still hope for repeat of 1980.
ReplyDeleteOoh. That could be seriously ugly. I'm with Buckskins -- 1980 Redux would be sweet!
ReplyDeleteA rerun of 1980 would be sweet indeed but I fear it's not in the cards this year. Still... one can hope!
ReplyDeleteThe last time I watched Olympic Hockey was about 30 years ago, and the USSR was the heavy favorite.
ReplyDeleteBut, I don't see them in the lineup. Did they not send a team this year? ;)
Only game I saw so far was the ladies Canadian team utterly dismantling Slovakia. Not much to judge on.
ReplyDeleteThe mens tourney should be a corker. I'd love to see Canada take it on their home ice, but I have the same misgivings concerning Brodeur.
Andy: Heh. The USSR might send a team to the 2014 games if Putin has his way.
ReplyDeleteJim: I hear ya about Brodeur.