A passable result for this group is making the QF and survival into next year. Which in a tournament of ten teams means not finishing dead last in the group.
However, the group split IS doing us some services this year. Our boys will be facing Canada, USA, Slovakia and Germany. While the NA groups will likely be too bitter a pill to swallow, especially on small ice, the other two shouldn't give 'em massive problems. If they finish 3rd and face one of Sweden/Czechs/Russia from the other side, they have to play a good game to beat 'em but won't need a perfect one. And even if the skaters are not up to speed, one man can make the difference in a game like that - and we've got Saros.