The play-in games took place today and pretty much went as expected except for the Latvian team upsetting the Swiss and setting up a far easier game for Team Canada in the quarters tomorrow.
Olympics record: 6-6 for -0.59 units.
Slovenia vs Sweden
Sweden hasn’t really run up the score on teams yet in these Olympics. They defeated both the Czech Republic by two goals each and beat the Swiss 1-0. That said they are the only team with 9 points after the round robin stages, but losing Zetterberg I think will hurt them before this tournament is over. That said against Slovenia won’t be the time. Slovenia beat Austria in the play-in game and they can now be satisfied with their tournament. They defeated both Slovakia and Austria and made the semi-finals. I expect a bit of a lull in their game against the Swedes and it being the quarterfinals Sweden won’t let up. I expect more of a blow out in this one.
Play: Sweden (-3.5) 2.05 (5Dimes)
Russia vs Finland
Finland will be the well rested team because they got the bye to the semi-finals. Finland battled it out to an overtime loss to Canada the other day and I expect them to put up another battle against the Russians. I think this will be a low scoring affair that could really go either way. Finland is far too big of underdogs in this one as Russia has really not had a great tournament and I don’t expect them to turn it around now.
Play: Finland 2.70 (5Dimes)
Canada vs Latvia
The Latvians pulled off a big upset with their 3-1 win over Switzerland in the play-in games. This team is well coached, but I still expect a mental drop in their game play tomorrow. They did what they came to Sochi to do and now I expect them to let their foot of the gas a little bit. They don’t play a particularly defensive game and I expect Canada to take advantage and run up the score in this one.
Play: Canada (-3.5) 1.64 (BetOnline)
Czech Republic vs USA
The Czechs haven’t had a great tournament, but they do have a fighting chance in this one against the Americans. I don’t like to put too much weight in a team running the score up against weaker opposition so I’m not as impressed with Team USA as many in the media are at this point. The Czech Republic has enough strong players to win this game. They also won’t be satisfied with a quarterfinal berth like Latvia or Slovenia, so this will not be a gimmie game for the Americans. At the current odds the Czechs have to win the game 29% of the time for the moneyline bet to be a smart wager. I give them a win 1/3 of the time in this game.
Play: Czech Republic 3.50 (5Dimes)
Tagged with: Canada • Czech Republic • Finland • Latvia • Russia • Slovenia • Sweden • USA