Who is the hot favorite in Olympic hockey?

[timber09]

There are six teams that have a legitimate shot at Gold - CZE, RUS, SWE, FIN, USA and CAN - they are in a class above the rest of the field.

I personally think that RUS is grossly overrated and will not be able to run through this tournament like everyone is predicting. Canada is by far the most dominant team from top to bottom - say all you want about the top Russian line - I'll take the Canadians top to bottom in forwards every day of the week.

I think the US team has a shot but they are going to have to play physical with gritty defense and Miller is going to have to play really well for them to have a shot.

 

[Big Tall]

After watching the Americans stutter a bit in their opener, Sweden's horrid 2-0 over Germany and Russia give up a pair of goals against Latvia...it's advantage Canada right now. After the boys finally decided to shoot the bloody puck in Period 2 against the Norwegians, the game was over in a hurry. I don't like the depth of the Americans, Sweden hasn't come together yet and I still don't have as much confidence in the Russian D, Nabokov in goal or not.

 

[Metrags]

After watching the Americans stutter a bit in their opener,
Sweden's horrid 2-0 over Germany
and Russia give up a pair of goals against Latvia...
it's advantage Canada right now.

Yet Canada squeaked by Norway 3-2 in the so.....



Its anyone's game "right now", but Russia is the favorite. Although picking a "favorite" with teams like these is like asking which of your children do you like the most

 

[Burner]

Russia looked pretty awful tonight

 

[porschegt3]

I am cheering for Russia, but I they have not gotten their chemistry together. They look a bit lost like Canada in the their first game vs. Norway in the 1st period.

The Russia defense is non-existent and they don't move the puck well (ex-Gonchar/Markov). Ovy looks above average, Kovalchuk looks like he kinda caught the Kovalev disease, Malkin isn't showing up, Datsyuk is playing well as usual, and Radulov is playing pretty well, Semin quite average,... Afiniganov needs to seriously step up,... the KHL guys look pretty good as a line. Will Russia wake up???

Seeing Afiniganov back check was hilarious and also Fedorov hitting Slovaks against the boards!!! lol

All the hockey has been great though. Just coming back from tonight's Rus/Slovak game, I am really enjoying the Olympics. The atmosphere is amazing and fans just want to watch good hockey. Great speed and skill displayed in the game although it might not have resulted in many goals.

I believe it's a crapshoot on who takes the medals, but I agree FIN, USA, CAN, RUS, CZE, SVK, SWE all have a chance. It is WAY closer than I expected and I will just cheer for good hockey! :beer:

 

[Big Tall]

Yet Canada squeaked by Norway 3-2 in the so.....

Its anyone's game "right now", but Russia is the favorite. Although picking a "favorite" with teams like these is like asking which of your children do you like the most

Oh come on, I posted that just as the game had started last night

 

[Metrags]

Oh come on, I posted that just as the game had started last night

Was gonna ask what game you were watching? Womens?

lol


I like that there is no real favorite this year. The Czechs are not as strong as their Hasek/Jagr Days (Jagr Prime days that is). And the US is clearly trying to give its youngsters the chance to gain some tremendous experience.

Russia Canada Sweden three way finals round robin tourney...

 

[Stadium Sports]

The funny thing is.... If the Czechs beat the Russians, (and assuming the Slovacs win their game) Russia falls to 3rd in their pool and won't advance.

 

[pavelbart]

I think we have chance to win our group, but I am also sure, that Russia against us will play much different than today against slovakia...But this tournament is very well-balanced now. Suisse have stolen point to Canada, Slovak have beaten Russia...it will be interesting.