Olympics: My group stage predictions

[Artorius Horus T]

Group A

Germany
---------------
Canada
USA
China

Group B

Russia
--------------
Czech
Switzerland
Denmark

Group C

Finland
Slovakia
-------------
Latvia
Sweden


Group A notes :

Canada has the best individual players of group A
however, overall look...Germany has more all around
team for a international tournament, with more
depth and additional scoring and better goaltending

USA's goaltending trio is second or third to worst in this tournament, my opinion.
Their offense looks spirited and fast, with skill, but their defense
and goaltending is just too weak to go far in this tournament

Group B notes :

The obvious, Russia are the dominant in this group and will win
all 3 games. (well, at least they are supposed to be, do that)

I couldn't first decide which i would put to 2nd place, Swiss or Czechs,
but i think Czechs big difference over the Swiss, is the NHL experience
what they have there in this tournament, that offence is super old thou...

Group C notes :

The obvious, Finland wins this group.

Slovakia looks really good, they could give us Finns, if we don't play smart,
some troubles, the first game of the tournament...never easy

Latvia always surprises and gives 110% and tries really really hard, they
finish third, they have your usual suspects team Latvia players there.

I think Sweden have sent their worst ever team to a international
tournament, or if not the worst, one of. And this is not coming from
a "biased" Finn, but rather just by looking at that roster
and gasping out loud; holy shit that looks bad, no offence.

That was my olympic group stage prediction. Thank you.

Click to read more...

 

[Antiillafire]

Group A:
Canada
USA
Germany
China

Group B:
Russia
Czech
Denmark
Switzerland

Group C:
Finland
Sweden
Slovakia
Latvia

 

[Lartsaman]

Group A:

1. Canada
2. Germany
3. United States
4. China

It´s Canada, no matter what. They will be a pain in the ass again.

Group B:

1. ROC
2. Czech Republic
3. Switzerland
4. Denmark

Russia takes this one but the group is surprisingly even.

Group C:

1. Sweden
2. Finland
3. Slovakia
4. Latvia

Finland and Sweden goes to the overtime and Sweden takes it.

 

[Czechboy]

Group A - Canada, Germany, US, China - I think very close games and it'll be very tight.
Group B - Czechs, ROC, Swiss, Denmark - Last Olympics opened with Slovakia beating ROC and they start slow at tourneys. I think they'll get their revenge in a elimination match so this isn't me saying Czechs are better
Group C - Finns, Sweden, Slovaki, Latvia - I think FInn's will be cruising as they have the same coach and familiarity. Only flaw I see is that they are a favourite and being a favourite is hard.

 

[Namejs]

Germany
Canada
China
US

Russia
Switzerland
Czechia
Denmark

Finland
Sweden
Latvia
Slovakia

I see a lot of people assuming Slovakia over Latvia here, but if you zoom in on the players there's virtually no difference there.

And that's without accounting for an outbreak of you know what in the Slovakian camp.

 

[Marioesque]

Group A

Canada
---------------
Germany
USA
China

Group B

Russia
--------------
Czech
Switzerland
Denmark

Group C

Finland
-------------
Sweden
Slovakia
Latvia

 

[Urbanskog]

Group A:
Germany
Canada
United States
China

Group B:
Russia
Switzerland
Czech Republic
Denmark

Group C:
Finland
Sweden
Slovakia
Latvia

 

[Lambo]

Group A

Germany
---------------
Canada
USA
China

Group B

Russia
--------------
Czech
Switzerland
Denmark

Group C

Finland
Slovakia
-------------
Latvia
Sweden


Group A notes :

Canada has the best individual players of group A
however, overall look...Germany has more all around
team for a international tournament, with more
depth and additional scoring and better goaltending

USA's goaltending trio is second or third to worst in this tournament, my opinion.
Their offense looks spirited and fast, with skill, but their defense
and goaltending is just too weak to go far in this tournament

Group B notes :

The obvious, Russia are the dominant in this group and will win
all 3 games. (well, at least they are supposed to be, do that)

I couldn't first decide which i would put to 2nd place, Swiss or Czechs,
but i think Czechs big difference over the Swiss, is the NHL experience
what they have there in this tournament, that offence is super old thou...

Group C notes :

The obvious, Finland wins this group.

Slovakia looks really good, they could give us Finns, if we don't play smart,
some troubles, the first game of the tournament...never easy

Latvia always surprises and gives 110% and tries really really hard, they
finish third, they have your usual suspects team Latvia players there.

I think Sweden have sent their worst ever team to a international
tournament, or if not the worst, one of. And this is not coming from
a "biased" Finn, but rather just by looking at that roster
and gasping out loud; holy shit that looks bad, no offence.

That was my olympic group stage prediction. Thank you.

Despite Sweden have a better squad than Slovakia and Latvia.

 

[Lambo]

Group A:
1. Canada
2. Germany
3. USA
4. China

Group B
1. Russia
2. Switzerland
3. Czech Rep.
4. Denmark

Group C
1. Finland
2. Sweden
3. Slovakia
4. Latvia

 

[Czechboy]

It's almost funny.. Group B went from potentially the weakest division because only one Big 5 in Russia to now probably the hardest group of the 3.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Group A

Germany
---------------
Canada
USA
China

Group B

Russia
--------------
Czech
Switzerland
Denmark

Group C

Finland
Slovakia
-------------
Latvia
Sweden


Group A notes :

Canada has the best individual players of group A
however, overall look...Germany has more all around
team for a international tournament, with more
depth and additional scoring and better goaltending

USA's goaltending trio is second or third to worst in this tournament, my opinion.
Their offense looks spirited and fast, with skill, but their defense
and goaltending is just too weak to go far in this tournament

Group B notes :

The obvious, Russia are the dominant in this group and will win
all 3 games. (well, at least they are supposed to be, do that)

I couldn't first decide which i would put to 2nd place, Swiss or Czechs,
but i think Czechs big difference over the Swiss, is the NHL experience
what they have there in this tournament, that offence is super old thou...

Group C notes :

The obvious, Finland wins this group.

Slovakia looks really good, they could give us Finns, if we don't play smart,
some troubles, the first game of the tournament...never easy

Latvia always surprises and gives 110% and tries really really hard, they
finish third, they have your usual suspects team Latvia players there.

I think Sweden have sent their worst ever team to a international
tournament, or if not the worst, one of. And this is not coming from
a "biased" Finn, but rather just by looking at that roster
and gasping out loud; holy shit that looks bad, no offence.

That was my olympic group stage prediction. Thank you.

How are you not biased? You are the only one who is putting Sweden last. Even your own fellow finns is not agreeing with you.

How is it obv that Finland wins the group when Sweden won over Finland in og 2018 and have won 5 of the last 7 games against Finland in EHT?

 

[Omotenashi]

To me it looks like 5 potential gold candidates who are all quite even:, with Russia a step ahead of Finland, Canada, Sweden and Czechia.

After that there is a bit of a gap to Switzerland and Germany who should still be medal candidates.

Then there is a bit of a gap again and I would be surprised if any other team medals, but it is not impossible of course.

Group A:
1.Canada - good team all around. Quite a few forwards that are producing good numbers and solid defending and goaltending
2.Germany - ok team. Could use some more depth in attack and there are no defensemen who really stand out.
3.USA - some big question marks in goal and in general how good the NCAA guys will be. Could surprise but could also struggle in the game with China.
4.China - As they are used to playing together they might have a shot against teams like US, Latvia, Slovakia and Denmark. Still the outsider but they could pick up some points if Jeremy Smith performs in goal.

Group B
1. Russia - Some questionable selections for me, but overall very good team in all positions.
2. Czechia - Solid in goal and although old should be strong in attack as well. Definitely the weakest defense of my gold candidates though. Could profit from a slow starting Russia.
3. Switzerland - Solid all around, just missing some stand-out players compared to the top 5.
4. Denmark - Lacking some depth, especially in attack. But an experienced team that could surprise

Group C
1. Sweden - If Lars Johansson gets the numbers he has in the KHL, Sweden potentially has the best goaltending in the tourney. Defense should be solid, but the attack is seriously lacking fire power compared the the other top 5. Probably not enough to go all the way unless things really come together defensively.
2. Finland - Solid all around. Definitely a strong gold candidate.
3. Slovakia - Difficult to separate from Latvia. I like Slovakia's defense slightly better. That gives them the edge.
4. Latvia - Some question marks in goal and some important players are aging a bit. They will still be able to have a shot at points in every game.

 

[Elvs]

Germany
Canada
China
US

Russia
Switzerland
Czechia
Denmark

Finland
Sweden
Latvia
Slovakia

I see a lot of people assuming Slovakia over Latvia here, but if you zoom in on the players there's virtually no difference there.

And that's without accounting for an outbreak of you know what in the Slovakian camp.

I agree that Latvia is on par with Slovakia, though their defence is weaker on paper, imo. But really, while Finland and Sweden will be the favourites, the C group should be the most wide open out of all groups. I wouldn't be the least surprised to see Slovakia or Latvia win the group.

Frankly, I feel the only country with zero chance to medal in this tournament, is China.

Germany nearly won gold last time. And I could just as well see Slovakia, Latvia or Denmark get involved in the bronze match.

 

[Czechboy]

Could profit from a slow starting Russia.

I agree with your ideas.. just sucks that we play Russia in both our third games. Was hoping to sneak one in on Day 1.lol

 

[Czechboy]

I agree that Latvia is on par with Slovakia, though their defence is weaker on paper, imo. But really, while Finland and Sweden will be the favourites, the C group should be the most wide open out of all groups. I wouldn't be the least surprised to see Slovakia or Latvia win the group.

Frankly, I feel the only country with zero chance to medal in this tournament, is China.

Germany nearly won gold last time. And I could just as well see Slovakia, Latvia or Denmark get involved in the bronze match.

It's what I love about this tourney... 9 countries could medal!

Also, I think China will not be awful.. I think they'll be competitive and have close games. I'm not saying gold but they will be competitive. Curious how Chelios's boy does.

 

[mattihp]

Swedish coaching is a question mark. To call Garpenlöv unproven is generous. Roster selection in the world champs was.. Not well planned. Now there seems a plan is in place. A good one? Who knows.

 

[Lartsaman]

Swedish coaching is a question mark. To call Garpenlöv unproven is generous. Roster selection in the world champs was.. Not well planned. Now there seems a plan is in place. A good one? Who knows.

Everybody doubts Garpenlöv. I think he have learned something after the WCH, he would really be a fool if not. He´s not Marjamäki after all.

 

[SportsFan94]

Canada
Germany

USA
China

Russia

Czech Republic
Switzerland
Denmark

Finland

Sweden
Slovakia
Latvia

 

[Hamilton Bulldogs]

Group A:

1. Canada
2. United States
3. Germany
4. China


Group B:

1. Czech Republic
2. Russia
3. Switzerland
4. Denmark


Group C:

1. Sweden
2. Finland
3. Slovakia
4. Latvia

 

[Favin]

Germany
Canada
China
US

Bold prediction

 

[Eye of Ra]

Bold prediction

not really. china has a team full of khlers. usa has lots of younger players and all chinese players play in the same team, kunlun. so some chemistry there and playing at home.

 

[Urbanskog]

not really. china has a team full of khlers. usa has lots of younger players and all chinese players play in the same team, kunlun. so some chemistry there and playing at home.

Half of the players are KHLers basically in name only considering how few games they have played or if they have played more, they spend a few minutes on ice per game. China can ice two decent forward lines, but that's about it. It's a far cry from what we could expect from another KHL-based national team – Kazakhstan.

 

[Hinterland]

Half of the players are KHLers basically in name only considering how few games they have played or if they have played more, they spend a few minutes on ice per game. China can ice two decent forward lines, but that's about it. It's a far cry from what we could expect from another KHL-based national team – Kazakhstan.

Well, China is gonna ice the team of Kunlun Redstar so those are all legit KHLers. Kunlun may not be a good team but they're no complete dumpster fire either. They can keep most games close in what's by far Europe's best league. No other nation will have the sort of chemistry the Chinese have from playing together at club level.

 

[Urbanskog]

Well, China is gonna ice the team of Kunlun Redstar so those are all legit KHLers. Kunlun may not be a good team but they're no complete dumpster fire either. They can keep most games close in what's by far Europe's best league. No other nation will have the sort of chemistry the Chinese have from playing together at club level.

Seeing that Kunlun is on 14-game losing streak I wouldn't hold my breath for much of a success. They did better earlier into the season but as they started using just players who would represent the Olympic team, their performance worsened. Additionally, China is missing Riche and Joe so in fact this team is even worse than the Kunlun that is on a 14-game losing streak.

In their last 5 games their goal differential is -22.

 

[Eye of Ra]

Group A

Germany
---------------
Canada
USA
China

Group B

Russia
--------------
Czech
Switzerland
Denmark

Group C

Finland
Slovakia
-------------
Latvia
Sweden


Group A notes :

Canada has the best individual players of group A
however, overall look...Germany has more all around
team for a international tournament, with more
depth and additional scoring and better goaltending

USA's goaltending trio is second or third to worst in this tournament, my opinion.
Their offense looks spirited and fast, with skill, but their defense
and goaltending is just too weak to go far in this tournament

Group B notes :

The obvious, Russia are the dominant in this group and will win
all 3 games. (well, at least they are supposed to be, do that)

I couldn't first decide which i would put to 2nd place, Swiss or Czechs,
but i think Czechs big difference over the Swiss, is the NHL experience
what they have there in this tournament, that offence is super old thou...

Group C notes :

The obvious, Finland wins this group.

Slovakia looks really good, they could give us Finns, if we don't play smart,
some troubles, the first game of the tournament...never easy

Latvia always surprises and gives 110% and tries really really hard, they
finish third, they have your usual suspects team Latvia players there.

I think Sweden have sent their worst ever team to a international
tournament, or if not the worst, one of. And this is not coming from
a "biased" Finn, but rather just by looking at that roster
and gasping out loud; holy shit that looks bad, no offence.

That was my olympic group stage prediction. Thank you.

so tell us george. how did useless sweden win over latvia and won shots with 26-16?