GDT: Group A • Feb. 13 • Slovakia vs. United States • Part I

[Systemfel]

2014 Olympic Games
Preliminary Round • Group A

February 13
7:30 AM ET • 13:30 CET • 16:30 MSK

http://www.eliteprospects.com/team.php?team=1636Slovakia
Projected lineup.

Left Wing​

|

Center​

|

Right Wing​

90 Tomáš Tatar​

|

26 Michal Handzuš

|

81 Marián Hossa

| -

13 Tomáš Jurčo​

|

82 Tomáš Kopecký​

|

92 Branko Radivojevič​

| -

61 Milan Bartovič​

|

43 Tomáš Surový​

|

19 Michel Miklík​

| -

88 Marcel Hossa​

|

65 Tomáš Marčinko​

|

28 Richard Pánik​

| -

Left Defense​

|

Right Defense​

33 Zdeno Chára

|

44 Andrej Sekera​

| -

7 Ivan Baranka​

|

14 Andrej Meszároš​

| -

52 Martin Marinčin​

|

68 Milan Jurčina​

| -

19 Tomáš Starosta​

|

23 Rene Vydarený​

| -

Starter​

|

Backup​

41 Jaroslav Halak​

|

31 Peter Budaj​

| -

Scratched​

|

Reason​

F 67 Tomáš Zaborský​

|

Healthy​

| -

F 85 Peter Ölvecký​

|

Healthy​

| -

50 Ján Laco​

|

Healthy​

| -

United States
Projected lineup.

Left Wing​

|

Center​

|

Right Wing​

9 Zach Parise

|

42 David Backes​

|

24 Ryan Callahan​

| -

21 James van Riemsdyk​

|

8 Joe Pavelski​

|

81 Phil Kessel​

| -

23 Dustin Brown

|

17 Ryan Kesler​

|

88 Patrick Kane​

| -

67 Max Pacioretty​

|

26 Paul Stastny​

|

74 T.J. Oshie​

| -

-​

|

-​

|

28 Blake Wheeler​

| -

Left Defense​

|

Right Defense​

20 Ryan Suter

|

7 Paul Martin​

| -

27 Ryan McDonagh​

|

22 Kevin Shattenkirk​

| -

3 Cam Fowler​

|

4 John Carlson​

| -

44 Brooks Orpik​

|

-​

| -

Starter​

|

Backup​

32 Jonathan Quick​

|

39 Ryan Miller​

| -

Scratched​

|

Reason​

F 12 Derek Stepan​

|

Healthy​

| -

D 72 Justin Faulk​

|

Healthy​

| -

G 35 Jimmy Howard​

|

Healthy​

| -

Officials​

|

Referee​

|

Antonín Jeřábek | -

Referee​

|

Kevin Pollock | -

Linesman​

|

Mark Wheler | -

Linesman​

|

Jesse Wilmot | -

Click to read more...

 

[GPF]

first, wow must be ages since I did this last time. Not that I have a lot of time or mood to post nowadays if it isn't for the big tourneys or SCFs, but the good thing of climbing up the ladder was definitely that today I can decide for myself to take a two/three hour break from work in the afternoon and watch a game

I really can live with all decisions made (Quick, dpairs, assuming it's true Orpik is 7th dman and Carlos-Fowler 3rd pair) except the break up of Backes and Oshie and putting Callahan on it (apart from swaping Oshie and Callahan I would even prefer Wheeler there .. but we will see in exactly 4 hours

GO USA from Barcelona

 

[tlallstar6]

@ByKevinAllen 2h
USA defensive pairings vs. Slovakia: Suter-Martin, McDonagh-Shattenkirk, Fowler-Carlson. Orpik is No. 7

 

[Paxon]

U S A! U S A!

I've been waiting for this game for 4 years. Considering how terrible my NHL team is and USA's mediocre WJC roster this year, this is the the only team I'm a real fan of that has high hopes. Though I'd still like to see Miller in net, I'm certainly not hoping Quick lays an egg. If he's locked in to the fullest then USA's chances for gold are that much better.

 

[Paxon]

@ByKevinAllen 2h
USA defensive pairings vs. Slovakia: Suter-Martin, McDonagh-Shattenkirk, Fowler-Carlson. Orpik is No. 7

So it all worked out in the end after all the worries (from myself included). Faulk could conceivably be as good in this tourney as anyone outside of Suter but you could say the same for the other guys who are playing. Not hot on Martin being chained to Suter considering the minutes and importance, but as the vet I can't really fault coach for giving him the chance to start with.

 

[Minny Shinny]

Yeah, it looks like that JVR-Pavs-Kessel line looks like a sure bet to start, plus the Kesler Kane combo appears to have some chemistry....so it's interesting to me that they don't see Backes-Oshie having that same effect.

Faulk, Stepan and Howard are the scratches. I really don't understand Orpik over Faulk, but Disco Dan gonna Disco Dan I guess.

 

[PapaQ]

This might be the first upset of the tournament. Slovakia doesn't look particulary scary this year, but you never know.

 

[Babula]

looking forward it. I expect a close game. Go Slovakia !!!

 

[Leidi J]

so excited.

 

[Paxon]

Yeah, it looks like that JVR-Pavs-Kessel line looks like a sure bet to start, plus the Kesler Kane combo appears to have some chemistry....so it's interesting to me that they don't see Backes-Oshie having that same effect.

Faulk, Stepan and Howard are the scratches. I really don't understand Orpik over Faulk, but Disco Dan gonna Disco Dan I guess.

I suppose the idea re: Orpik is maybe a guy he trusts to throw out in PK or some late-period d-zone situations. Not a fan of it but it's not likely to have much impact if the 3 pairs play regularly and the 7th man isn't rotated in for regular shifts, which I assume would be the case.

Backes-Oshie is truly confusing but if the lines work out then so be it

 

[HanSolo]

Been waiting for this game for years. So excited. Sleep is not an option for me tonight.

 

[member 151739]

Been waiting for this game for years. So excited. Sleep is not an option for me tonight.

Same here. I got a two liter to keep me awake. I'm so jittery, not because of the caffeine, but because I'm so anxious for the game to start. I'm not the biggest fan of our projected first line. Thankfully Orpik is the extra guy too.

 

[HanSolo]

Same here. I got a two liter to keep me awake. I'm so jittery, not because of the caffeine, but because I'm so anxious for the game to start. I'm not the biggest fan of our projected first line. Thankfully Orpik is the extra guy too.

I'm sure any issues will be smoothed out when appropriate. Russia will be the biggest measuring stick.

 

[member 151739]

I'm sure any issues will be smoothed out when appropriate. Russia will be the biggest measuring stick.

Indeed. I'm hoping for little to no issues however. Handzus being the first line center for the Slovaks makes me laugh, as a Hawks fan.

 

[Anhero]

Can't sleep. Lets do this America.

 

[Minny Shinny]

@usahockey: U.S. Olympic men's lockerroom at Shayba. Training staff awesome job getting it ready for team arrival. #teamusa #usah http://t.co/AF7rAkhp6S

Is it 730 yet?

 

[tobu]

From all the teams we've sustained the most injuries, so we are definitely weaker given the fact that our 5million country obviously does not have the depth. But as it has happened many times before, we can always step up as a team and beat anyone. Let's have an awesome game!

 

[Paxon]

@usahockey: U.S. Olympic men's lockerroom at Shayba. Training staff awesome job getting it ready for team arrival. #teamusa #usah http://t.co/AF7rAkhp6S

Is it 730 yet?

Their darks are much better, don't like the whites at all. Wish they had the same whites as 2010.

 

[Paxon]

From all the teams we've sustained the most injuries, so we are definitely weaker given the fact that our 5million country obviously does not have the depth. But as it has happened many times before, we can always step up as a team and beat anyone. Let's have an awesome game!

I've always liked Slovakia's teams. Sekera is still one of my favorite league-wide players in the NHL since he left Buffalo. Hoping this will be a competitive game and a win for the US, then Slovakia upsets Russia when they face off.

 

[Kyndig]

I don't like the shield. Looks like a generic crest or cops badge.

 

[Minny Shinny]

I suppose the idea re: Orpik is maybe a guy he trusts to throw out in PK or some late-period d-zone situations. Not a fan of it but it's not likely to have much impact if the 3 pairs play regularly and the 7th man isn't rotated in for regular shifts, which I assume would be the case.

Backes-Oshie is truly confusing but if the lines work out then so be it

I'm personally very high on Faulk so that's a big part of it for me. I live in the land of Claude Julien, a man who is famous for trusting his steady veterans in important situations (and it's paid off for him so who am I? )

I'm not looking past the Slovaks....certainly a team with potential for an upset, although they've suffered some injuries which makes them less scary....so using this first game to throw some things together and check gameplay chemistry seems the prudent way to go, considering the second matchup on Saturday.

 

[Leidi J]

@usahockey: U.S. Olympic men's lockerroom at Shayba. Training staff awesome job getting it ready for team arrival. #teamusa #usah http://t.co/AF7rAkhp6S

Is it 730 yet?

Looks like from left to right... Kessel, Kesler, Brown, Kane, Parise, Pavelski, Shattenkirk?, Suter

 

[Minny Shinny]

From all the teams we've sustained the most injuries, so we are definitely weaker given the fact that our 5million country obviously does not have the depth. But as it has happened many times before, we can always step up as a team and beat anyone. Let's have an awesome game!

Absolutely...and something important for the Americans to remember.

Naturally I want a US victory....but also wanna see my boy Zdeno play well. He's having a very good year with the Bruins and aside from today, hope to see that translate into a solid Olympic showing.

Enjoy!

 

[Minny Shinny]

I wanted a Suter, but I hated.....haaaaaated those sweaters when they first came out so nixed it.

They're kinda growing on me though. They look better on the ice than they do close up.

I like the whites more than the blues, but yeah, the USA shield looks like the stock Nike USA emblem.

 

[member 151739]

I don't like our jerseys at all, but the white ones are decent. Can't stand those stars and fake laces though.