Russia vs. Canada

[Electrophile 3,554]

That is, if he really has any.

You're right. Here's hoping Ovi just flat out nails him. Hits him hard enough that he goes flying across the ice, knocks over three teammates and a linesman and then knocks the net off the moorings. Anything to up the entertainment factor for me. Because sweet sassy molassy do I hate that guy.

[Vladifan 680]

I hope Ovechkin lays a hit on Crosby so hard, Crosby's nuts finally descend.

Thank god you haven't lost your touch and your way with words. Please don't change.

[cupforwings 138]

I hope Russia wins for two reasons. One, I think the Americans will have a better chance to beat Russia than Canada (if it came down to the gold medal game), mostly because Canada will be out for blood in a game like that. Second, I would like to see Pavs win a medal.

That being said, I think this game will come down to goaltending, and unfortunately, Canada has the better goaltending IMO. Contradicting myself, my gut tells me Russia will win this game...

Russia 4 Canada 3 in OT with goals from Ovi, Datsyuk x2, and Fedorov. Crosby, Heatly, Toews.

go Pavs!

[Guest ToMaToToWnWinGsFaN_24]

routing for canada here

its gonna be a great game though!

all i can say is whoever wins this game i will be routing for to win the gold.

[StevieY'sguy 1]

A 40 year old Fedorov has 3pts in 3 games. That's hardly dead weight.

Fedorov is certainly carrying his weight but anyone who says that from top to bottom Russia has more talent than Canada is a fool, end of discussion. This is shaping up to be a hell of a matchup I'd be shocked if a goal in the last 4 or 5 minutes doesn't decide it, although I would find it absolutely delightful if Canada won in an absolute blowout like the last time a Crosby team played an Ovechkin team in an elimination game...

I really hope Canada and America meet up in a North American final, just to show the world that the best hockey on the planet undoubtedly resides on this side of the pond..If that happend I wouldn't be too upset either way, I'm an American but both of the places i've lived/live in my life are within 15 minutes of a bridge to Canada (I'm currently residing within 100 yards of the toll booth for the bridge actually) and thus, I've spent much more time over the border than most and have nothing but good things to say about Canada, it also doesn't hurt that my all-time favorite player picked the team and my favorite players play for the big red leaf...

[titanium2 867]

This thread might as well be retouched as the GDT.

[Yzerman191 37]

On paper, I agree that Canada is the better team. However, as a unit, Russia is playing better than Canada. Canada is having some unexpected problems with some key players (Getzlaf, Perry, Niedermayer, Pronger, Seabrook, Brodeur) who were expected to come up big for them, as well as some expected problems (Thornton, Marleau) with underachievers in clutch situations. There is also a lot of talk that Canada doesn't have enough role players, guys that aren't afraid to roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to win; the same cannot be said for Russia.

Overall, I want Russia to win but my head tells me Canada will take it. Russia's problem will be in their own zone, and even with an explosive line like Semin-Malkin-Ovechkin, Canada has the forwards capable of exploiting their lack of defensive talent. And not only do they have the capability of exploiting the first line's defensive shortcomings, but they have the depth that allows them to roll four lines capable of scoring after any screw up by any of the Russian lines. I also think that Canada has the advantage in net, whether they went with Luongo or Brodeur.

With that said, I also thought that Canada would beat the USA, so maybe I'm wrong. I hope so.

Edited February 24, 2010 by Yzerman191

[Duck Guy 86]

I 100% agree with Yzer.. Canada already won the gold 5 times over on paper... but we all know from the regular NHL season and this tourney (good ex. is USA vs CAN game) that if you have won something on paper that does not mean anything at all... With that said even tho I would like to see USA and CAN meet again I believe that Russia will win this game

[FunkedUp 29]

Everyone is mentioning the AO/Crosby matchup, but I think the Malkin/Crosby factor will be just as entertaining.

[lightthelamp13 0]

with the amount of ice time that ovie/geno/jizz line is going to get, i think the biggest factor is how that line plays without the puck. i wouldn't be surprised to see them play a lot against the getzlaf line. and for those who expect that line to be dominated by the ovechkin line...you are probably wrong. it may be an even split down the middle, who knows. but point of the matter being, that russian line has to play defence. especially with the commitment to team defence that the russians have.

the russians don't have 13 pavel datsyuks.

with that, i'm curious to see how this turns out. the ovechkin line may not only be canada's worst nightmare, but the russian's worst nightmare as well with the level of depth in the canadian roster. they will get caught, and those 2 wingers don't...oh whats the word i'm looking for.....backcheck.

it's a toss up. but in a view point with no bias....Canada wins 4-1.

The way they lost to the Americans....just....changed something.

P.S - I hope the Russians lose because of the KHL. You know how there are about 4353453535 people always crying about Crosby? What's more bothersome....that? or Russians going off about"how good the KHL is" because the Russian roster has a handful of those guys on it? You already have that airhead Radulov going around talking about how the KHL is a better league than the NHL. I couldn't live with it. It would drive me insane.

[fixxxer 11]

IMO I think Russia has a better chance with Bryzgalov in net than Nabokov. I think Nabokov cracks too much under pressure and isn't a goalie you want in a game like this. Unless I skimmed the posts too quick I'm suprized starting goalies have been brought up.

I think to if Ovi brings his A game there's no stopping him and Russia played like USA constantly hounding the puck carriers lots of forechecking they'll have a good chance advancing.

It should be an entertaining game regardless.

[king_malice 17]

I think Canada is going to be amped up for this game just a little more then the Russians will be. I think Canada is going to start with lots of fast skating and hard hits from the drop of the puck, expect alot of dump and chase and punishment of Russian D. I believe its going to be Canada's 3rd and 4th line that wins this game. my prediction is 5-3 Canada

[TheDetroitRedWings 286]

GO RUSSIA GO!!!

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

Whoever wins this game will win gold. Sweden might as well. USA, even though they beat Canada, got badly outplayed and will lose in the semi's.

[dat's sick 1,002]

I'm conflicted. Not sure who I'm rooting for. It will definitely be bittersweet no matter what team wins.

It'll either be a huge failure for Datsyuk & Co. or for Stevie Y & Babs. Neither scenario makes me happy.

As for what I think, I think Canada will win. The extra game against Germany was what they needed to get their lines right and I don't think Russia has the defense to stop Crosby, Nash, Iginla, Getzlaf etc. Pavel can shut down maybe 4 or 5 guys on his own but that still leaves about 10 scoring threats.

[LeftWinger 5,153]

Fedorov amd Datsyuk will shutdown the Canadians. Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovi and company will destroy the old fart Canadian defense. Sorry, Pronger and Neddy Neiderlender (you naughty boy, bad, naughty...sassy boy) cannot hang with them...

[RusDRW 155]

officiating is my only concern. It may ruin the game just like Canada-US group games was almost ruined by that timely call on Johnson late in the third. It was always this way playing in Canada and will always be...

[blikst 1]

I think the Canada's defense have been pretty slugish so far *cough* Pronger *cough* and they will have problem with the speedy russian forwards. I think if the Russian goalie can keep a reasonable level, the ruskies will win.

[WingNutt 12]

Datsyuk, Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovalchuk...

enough said.

Can't wait for this game, Time to take it to the Canadians on their home ice,

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

Datsyuk, Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovalchuk...

enough said.

Can't wait for this game, Time to take it to the Canadians on their home ice,

Truly enough said, imho.

[edicius 3,269]

The Russians will chase Luongo. You heard it here first.

[Original-Six 254]

Canadas defense is overrated. They have been pressuring teams with their offense but in their own zone they get outworked and turn the puck over tons.

[toby91_ca 620]

If my calculations are correct, this game will feature 10 of the top 21 scorers in the league (6 for Canada and 4 for Russia). This doesn't even include guys like Nash and Datsyuk.

Looking at the top 20 list, there are another 4 Canadians in there that didn't make the team (St. Louis, Stamkos, Richards and Green).

[Vladifan 680]

IMO I think Russia has a better chance with Bryzgalov in net than Nabokov. I think Nabokov cracks too much under pressure and isn't a goalie you want in a game like this. Unless I skimmed the posts too quick I'm suprized starting goalies have been brought up.

I think to if Ovi brings his A game there's no stopping him and Russia played like USA constantly hounding the puck carriers lots of forechecking they'll have a good chance advancing.

It should be an entertaining game regardless.

[Yellowknife Redwing 57]

If Russia wins, at least Morrow and Richards aren't going to make it easy for Ovechkin.