World Cup Hockey Predictions: Sweden/Russia, North America/Finland
By Ryan Ritchie
World Cup Hockey: Day Two Predictions (Team Sweden vs. Team Russia and Team North America vs. Team Finland)
World Cup Hockey got underway on Saturday with a shocker out of the gates. As the old saying goes, “expect the unexpected”, and that’s precisely what happened when Team Europe shutout the Americans. Unfortunately for Team USA, you can’t afford to look back in tournaments such as these. The path to the semifinals was made a little more difficult, but you need a short-term memory as you move on to game two.
Our opening day predictions didn’t go so well, but that’s the beauty of sports. Underdogs rise, favorites fall, it’s an unpredictable art. Let’s hope the second day of World Cup Hockey action brings us more fortune.
Make sure to follow us here at Puck Prose all the way through Thursday (Sept.22) for daily tournament predictions during the preliminary round. We’ll follow it up with a semifinals prediction for action next Saturday/Sunday (Sept.24-25), and then closed out with our best of three final predictions.
Day One Action:
Team Sweden vs. Team Russia (3:00PM EST) – ESPN in USA, Sportsnet in Canada
Team North America vs. Team Finland (8:00PM EST) – ESPN2 in USA, Sportsnet in Canada
World Cup Hockey: Day Two Predictions
Russia Struggles to Contain Vancouver’s Top Line
Canucks GM Jim Benning signed Loui Eriksson this summer based on past success with the Sedin twins at international competitions. In three pre-tournament games, Loui Eriksson scored three goals, Daniel Sedin had a goal and two assists, and Henrik Sedin added a pair of assists. Expect Vancouver’s trio to wreak havoc on the Russian defenders Sunday afternoon and at least find their way on the score sheet once, if not more.
Bobrovsky a Brick-Wall
The Swede’s should find the back of the net once, twice, maybe even three times if they force enough rubber at the net. Bobrovsky has been a brick-wall for the Russian’s thus far though, rebounding nicely from a shaky 2015-16 campaign. One could even argue that he was among MVP nominees in early competition. Don’t expect any softies to get by the Russian netminder on Sunday afternoon.
World Cup of Hockey: Team North America Could Disappoint
Gaudreau, McDavid Take Center Stage
These two young men are entering the tier of superstar status in the NHL and if they haven’t already, the World Cup of Hockey is the perfect stage to mark their stamp. Both Gaudreau and McDavid were among points leaders in pre-tournament action, but coach Todd McLellan split the duo up in practice Friday.
Whether he keeps Drouin and Scheifele with McDavid, or opts to put the phenom back with Jack Eichel and Johnny Gaudreau at some point, Alberta’s pair of star forwards should prove to be a handful for a mediocre Finnish defensive group that allowed eight goals against in three warm-up games.
Finnish Veterans Step Up
The Finn’s might get some help from the kids (Patrik Laine, Joonas Donskoi) on Sunday night, but they’ll need their veterans to step up (who are more familiar playing in this type of competition). Expect Mikko Koivu, Valtteri Filppula, Jussi Jokinen, and Leo Komarov to provide an offensive spark for Team Finland if they hope to knock off the 23-and-under all-star team.
Next: World Cup Day One Predictions
Results Prediction:
Team Russia (4)
Team Sweden (2)
G – Ovechkin, Panarin, Shipachyov, Dadonov
G – Eriksson, Backstrom
Team Finland (4)
Team North America (3)
G – Koivu, Jokinen, Laine, Ristolainen
G – Gaudreau (2), McDavid