GDT: 2018 WJC • Game 09 • Group B: SWE (3) - CZE (1) F

[Woodhouse]

Group B:

Sweden vs.

Czech Republic
Dec. 28 • 16:00 ET • 22:00 CET
Key Bank Center — Buffalo, NY
TV: CMore Hockey, CT Sport, NHLN, RDS, TSN1/4, TV4

Sweden
(Confirmed lineup per IIHF.)

17 Fredrik Karlstrom - 24 Lias Andersson - 21 Jesper Boqvist
19 Alexander Nylander - 16 Linus Lindstrom - 14 Elias Pettersson
29 Oskar Steen - 20 Isac Lundestrom - 8 Tim Soderlund
22 Axel Jonsson Fjallby - 10 Marcus Davidsson - 28 Fabian Zetterlund
12 Glenn Gustafsson

27 Jacob Moverare - 7 Timothy Liljegren
26 Erik Brannstrom - 8 Rasmus Dahlin
23 Jesper Sellgren - 5 Gustav Lindstrom
6 Linus Hogberg

30 Filip Gustavsson
1 Filip Larsson
35 Olle Eriksson Ek

Czech Republic
(Confirmed lineup per IIHF.)

6 Marek Zachar - 21 Filip Chytil - 27 Ostap Safin
18 Filip Zadina - 8 Martin Necas - 25 Radovan Pavlik
16 Martin Kaut - 22 Kristian Reichel - 29 Albert Michnac
15 Daniel Kurovsky - 28 Petr Kodytek - 17 Krystof Hrabik
20 Jakub Lauko

3 Libor Hajek - 19 Vojtech Budik
11 Filip Kral - 23 Jakub Galvas
7 Radim Salda - 14 Ondrej Vala

1 Jakub Skarek
30 Josef Korenar
2 Milan Kloucek​

Click to read more...

 

[ponder]

The Czech team is pretty solid (obviously, they beat Russia), but I think Sweden are on a different level, they’re just so talented. This is a good chance for Sweden to show how good they are, I think they dominate the game and win by a solid margin.

 

[PatrikBerglund]

Always used to hate the Czechs 15-20 years ago, due to all the diving and dirty stuff, but I'm honestly glad they are finally starting to produce some great talent again.

My take on this game.

Forwards are a wash, perhaps even a small advantage for the Czechs. Sweden's defence is better.

That leaves the goalies. Not impressed by the Swedish tenders and know nothing about the Czech's.

A new Hasek?

 

[kabidjan18]

Czechs 3-2

 

[BigBadBoar]

Always used to hate the Czechs 15-20 years ago, due to all the diving and dirty stuff

It is funny that 15-20 years ago Canadians were blaming Czechs of diving and dirty play, and Czechs were equally blaming Canadians of rough play, cowardly fouls, hitting on the head etc. Here in the Czech republic, every hockey fan hated Canada, labelling Canadian players as dirty cowards, who are hitting from behind and brawling when the game is not going the way they like, to say "but Canada has great players" was almost dangerous among the fans here. And some years later, I have learned that many Canadians have had equal animosity for the Czechs, calling them divers and dirty slashers. This was sort of funny.
However, I believe that the former eastern block hockey and the north American hockey have intermingled so massively since then, that these verbal wars make no more sense.

 

[DDRhockey]

Pettersson has a cold

 

[rickardr]

Pettersson has a cold

But he is hot, makes no sense

 

[tade]

Hopefully Michnac is in tonight. There's only a slim chance against this Swedish team for us. They don't seem to have real weakness. Looking forward to the game though! Our top 6 should do some damage.

 

[Tomas W]

Key game for this group. Apparently the Czech squad is better than usual this year, so I expect a pretty hard fought game.

 

[Lays]

Chytil vs Lias tomorrow! This is the game I’ve been most looking forward to
I expect Sweden to easily win but the Czechs are looking nice as well. Chytil, Necas, Kaut, Zadina, Zachar are all highly skilled offensive players. I think the Czechs could maybe keep it close but their defense is scary (not in a good way)

 

[rickardr]

Chytil vs Lias tomorrow! This is the game I’ve been most looking forward to
I expect Sweden to easily win but the Czechs are looking nice as well. Chytil, Necas, Kaut, Zadina, Zachar are all highly skilled offensive players. I think the Czechs could maybe keep it close but their defense is scary (not in a good way)

FYI, the game is today. Don't want you to miss it

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Big game today. Predict Sweden wins 4-2, but anything can happen.

 

[JimboA]

delete

 

[kudla]

This game will decide who will play Slovakia/Denmark in QF

 

[rickardr]

He's probably on the NA west coast

He could be, just wanted to make sure when he seemed so pumped up about the game

 

[Ori]

Lias Andersson battle against Filip Chytil on the ice should be interesting before the Rangers game tomorrow vs Detroit, and hopefully they are both friends in the next year Rangers training camp in 2018.

 

[Lampedampe]

I really can't understand why Lundeström isn't centering Nylander and Petterssom. L.Lindström is pretty useless tbh, even Davidsson would be a better option.

I suppose what they are trying to do is to have 3 scoring lines, but i very much doubt that it'll work out.

 

[Wooren]

Skating will make the difference. 5-2 Sweden

 

[Baxterman]

Go Czechs Go.

 

[VictorLustig]

I really can't understand why Lundeström isn't centering Nylander and Petterssom. L.Lindström is pretty useless tbh, even Davidsson would be a better option.

I suppose what they are trying to do is to have 3 scoring lines, but i very much doubt that it'll work out.

Lundeström is maybe the last center I'd put on the top line. Davidsson would be a good option, unfortunately they view him as a grinder.

 

[Statsy]

I really can't understand why Lundeström isn't centering Nylander and Petterssom. L.Lindström is pretty useless tbh, even Davidsson would be a better option.

I suppose what they are trying to do is to have 3 scoring lines, but i very much doubt that it'll work out.

That line of Lundestrom, Soderlund and Steen has been together a while now and looked very impressive at the summer showcase, particularly in a game I recall where the line scored 5 or 6 goals. With that being said, that top line should be the priority, and if Lindstrom isn't doing the job, they should make the change.

 

[zorz]

Skating will make the difference. 5-2 Sweden

Skating is actually the thing which considerably improved over the past few years in Czech players development. Shooting And puck skilly are still pretty average, but skating is ok IMO.

 

[Critical13]

I really can't understand why Lundeström isn't centering Nylander and Petterssom. L.Lindström is pretty useless tbh, even Davidsson would be a better option.

I suppose what they are trying to do is to have 3 scoring lines, but i very much doubt that it'll work out.

That line looked pretty good to me last game?

 

[BigBadBoar]

It seems Albert Michnáč will be in the line-up for the Czechs tonight.

 

[Wooren]

Skating is actually the thing which considerably improved over the past few years in Czech players development. Shooting And puck skilly are still pretty average, but skating is ok IMO.

It has improved for sure, but it's still a level below Canadian, American and Swedish skating ability.