GDT: Group S • May 5 • Latvia 2, Russia 5

[Milos Krasic]

Popov was good. Has nice chemistry with Perezhogin since they are linemates in Omsk, and playing with Malkin doesn't hurt.

 

[BalticWarrior]

Russia is not a medal contender this year,not by a long shot.

 

[Systemfel]

Where is Proshkin, the best D in Europe?

 

[Namejs]

Russia is not a medal contender this year,not by a long shot.

Mm, no, I wouldn't say so. They'll get better + they'll have a few NA additions. But, yes, they're surely not the favorites of the tournament.

 

[Sergei DRW]

Well looks like he's going to have to wait 2 more years till his KHL deal expires before he begins to learn those lessons. If he looks out of place against Latvian just wait until he has to face NHL caliber defenseman against Canada and USA.

You really think so?
Kuznetsov was doing just fine against his Canadian peers the last two years at WJC, and most of those guys are now playing in NHL.

 

[Helpoing]

Stupid PK ruined it all.

Russia today was meh,game changer was malkin,without him russia is average team.

Today it was Malkin, next time it might be Datsyuk, Varly can steal a game as well. And it's not like other players are absolute mediocrity.

 

[Zine]

A few observations:

- I don't care what he does in the NHL, Nikitin is painfully average....I have no idea why he's there over Korneev.
- Malkin is simply the best player in the world.
- Kuz has mega-skills, but his youth is showing.
- Redlihs is damn good. Too bad he's leaving DR.
- Nikulin could be the best defenseman not in the NHL.
- Perezhogin/Popov work well together
- Russia's team defense is sloppy; but its early.
- Too bad Zaripov/Morozov are injured. This team could use them.
- Always impressed with Kulemin's 2-way game.

 

[ozo]

A few observations:

- I don't care what he does in the NHL, Nikitin is painfully average....I have no idea why he's there over Korneev.
- Malkin is simply the best player in the world.
- Kuz has mega-skills, but his youth is showing.
- Redlihs is damn good. Too bad he's leaving DR.
- Nikulin could be the best defenseman not in the NHL.
- Perezhogin/Popov work well together
- Russia's team defense is sloppy; but its early.
- Too bad Zaripov/Morozov are injured. This team could use them.
- Always impressed with Kulemin's 2-way game.

Hardly controversial statements. Though Nikitin was no worse than any other Russian defenseman not named Nikulin. I don't get why everyone jumps on his back.

 

[VladNYC*]

Lot's of skill, shaky start, questionable defense. What else is new?

Nikulin is a boss!

 

[Yakushev72]

A few observations:

- I don't care what he does in the NHL, Nikitin is painfully average....I have no idea why he's there over Korneev.
- Malkin is simply the best player in the world.
- Kuz has mega-skills, but his youth is showing.
- Redlihs is damn good. Too bad he's leaving DR.
- Nikulin could be the best defenseman not in the NHL.
- Perezhogin/Popov work well together
- Russia's team defense is sloppy; but its early.
- Too bad Zaripov/Morozov are injured. This team could use them.
- Always impressed with Kulemin's 2-way game.

Good call! And, as you say, its important to remember that its early. Injuries have really hurt Russia this year. I would have loved to have Tarasenko, and certainly Morozov and Zaripov would have added a lot, but overall, this lineup could surprise some people.

 

[v-man]

Russia would have been in tough if it weren't for Malkin. Decent start from Latvia, but they always seem to have one or two soft goals that come back to kill them. Hopefully they put in a good showing against the Germans tomorrow.

 

[BalticWarrior]

Russia would have been in tough if it weren't for Malkin. Decent start from Latvia, but they always seem to have one or two soft goals that come back to kill them. Hopefully they put in a good showing against the Germans tomorrow.

We absolutley must win germans tomorrow,i`m pretty confident we will.

 

[kiluj]

Well, at least we have 1 good D-man - Nikulin.

 

[Shrimper]

Malkin <3

2G 1A. Good start.

What's the most points a player has gotten in one WHC?

 

[Lim Ran]

Woot. Let's Go Malkin.

(Although I always hope Latvia does well too).

 

[Yannick8*]

Well looks like he's going to have to wait 2 more years till his KHL deal expires before he begins to learn those lessons. If he looks out of place against Latvian just wait until he has to face NHL caliber defenseman against Canada and USA.

Yeah Kuznetsov will have a hard time against Ryan Murray for sure... just like at the World Junior.

 

[nik jr]

Malkin <3

2G 1A. Good start.

What's the most points a player has gotten in one WHC?

i think vladimir petrov in '73.

18g, 16a, 34p in 10 games


soviets scored 10g per game.

 

[Rhaego]

Varlamov playing good?

 

[ozo]

Varlamov playing good?

Not really.

 

[russianhockey]

Compilations of Goals by Russia

 

[Unfriendly Ghost]

17 min of icetime for Malkin, 15 for Datsyuk? That's just absurd. Both of those guys need a lot more minutes. Calle Jarnkrok nearly got more icetime for Sweden than Datsyuk did for Russia. Wtf?

 

[Dosing]

Russia is not a medal contender this year,not by a long shot.

Any team with dekesyuk on it has a chance to win

 

[Xokkeu]

17 min of icetime for Malkin, 15 for Datsyuk? That's just absurd. Both of those guys need a lot more minutes. Calle Jarnkrok nearly got more icetime for Sweden than Datsyuk did for Russia. Wtf?

Traditional Russian coaching sees 4 lines played equally.

 

[Systemfel]

17 min of icetime for Malkin, 15 for Datsyuk? That's just absurd. Both of those guys need a lot more minutes. Calle Jarnkrok nearly got more icetime for Sweden than Datsyuk did for Russia. Wtf?

Why play them hard this early in the tourny?

 

[cska78]

First period Latvia went all out - Noland hoped to score first and hold onto it as long as they could and hopefully steal a point, but when Russia (read - Malkin) turned it on - Latvia had no business being in the game. Both goals allowed were really soft, especially the first one.
Latvia looked decent - I hope they can put up a fight with Germans, but something is telling me - Germans win this one.