Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Marginal Olympic Blog: Olympic Previews and Predictions



So for the next month, this blog will be called the "Marginal Olympic Blog" and to start things off, we want to give a preview and breakdown of the Men's Ice Hockey Tournament in Sochi, Russia. We will talk about Luge, Skeleton, Bobsled, some Women's hockey, and everyone's favorite event, curling, over the next month, but we're only going to preview what we know best, Ice Hockey. This post will be designed to give you all a better look at the teams competing and what we think their chances to medal will be.

Let's start out with the host country, Russia.




Roster:

Semeyon Varlamov - 1 - Goalie
Alexander Yeryomenko - 30 - Goalie
Sergei Bobrovsky - 72 - Goalie
Ilya Nikulin - 5 - Defense
Nikita Nikitin - 6 - Defense
Vyacheslav Voinov - 26 - Defense
Fedor Tyutin - 51 - Defense
Alexei Yemelin - 74 - Defense 
Anton Belov - 77 - Defense
Andrei Markov - 79 - Defense
Yevgeni Medvedev - 82 - Defense
Alexander Ovechkin - 8 Forward
Victor Tikhonov - 10 - Forward
Evgeni Malkin - 11 - Forward
Pavel Datsyuk - 13 - Forward
Alexander Svitov - 15 - Forward
Alexander Popov - 24 - Forward
Alexei Tereshenko - 27 - Forward
Alexander Semin - 28 - Forward
Nikolai Kulemin - 41 - Forward
Artem Anisimov - 42 - Forward
Valeri Nishushkin - 43 - Forward
Alexander Radulov - 47 - Forward
Ilya Kovalchuck - 71 - Forward
Vladimir Tarasenko - 91 - Forward

Notes:

Andrew - Russia has skill, speed, and the advantage of home ice. A top line likely of Semin - Malkin - Ovechkin has to potential to be a lethal duo and they have a good goaltender for the first time in a long time. The bigger ice should play an advantage for the playmakers like Malkin, Ovechkin, Datsyuk, Kovalchuck, Radulov, etc. Look for Russia to be a strong contender to medal.

Brandon - Russia is LOADED.  And the obvious home ice advantage may play a huge role in how far this Russia team goes.  They should medal. They'll go as far as Bobrovsky and Varlamov take them.

Haylie - Malkin, Ovechkin, Datsyuk, and Kovalchuk. Not to mention Bobrovsky and Varlamov's goaltending. Yeah, stacked is probably the perfect word for this team. Home ice advantage plus the pressure of winning in their home country could make this team even more powerful.

Next we'll take a look at Dan Bylsma's USA team.

Roster:

Jonathan Quick - 32 - Goalie
Jimmy Howard - 35 - Goalie
Ryan Miller - 39 - Goalie
Cam Fowler - 3 - Defense
John Carlson - 4 - Defense
Paul Martin - 7 - Defense
Ryan Suter - 20 - Defense
Kevin Shattenkirk - 22 - Defense
Ryan McDonagh - 27 - Defense
Brooks Orpik - 44 - Defense
Justin Faulk - 72 - Defense
Joe Pavelski - 8 - Forward
Zach Parise - 9 - Forward
Derek Stepan - 12 - Forward
Ryan Kesler - 17 - Forward
James van Riemsdyk - 21 - Forward
Dustin Brown - 23 - Forward
Ryan Callahan - 24 - Forward
Paul Stastny - 26 - Forward
Blake Wheeler - 28 - Forward
David Backes - 42 - Forward
Max Pacioretty - 67 - Forward
TJ Oshie - 74 - Forward
Phil Kessel - 81 - Forward
Patrick Kane - 88 - Forward

Notes:

Andrew - The Americans are coming off of a Silver performance in Vancouver and return a good chunk of that roster. There are a couple questions surrounding Team USA but it looks like Jonathan Quick will be the starting goalie atleast to start the tournament. One disadvantage I believe the Americans have is the lack of puck moving defensemen and the ability to create with the bigger ice. The Americans have a shot at a medal, but I think that will be a Bronze medal at best.

Brandon - A team filled with superstars coached by Dan Bylsma.  We've seen this story before and we know how it ends.  Last Olympics Ryan Miller stole the show and carried the US to a medal.  None of the 3 goalies the US are taking to Sochi are playing well at the moment.  If one of them catches fire watch out.  If not.  US won't even medal.

Haylie - This is a team that in its majority is used to the Olympic setting and having lots of experience, plus coming off a silver from last Olympics, I'm expecting them to be hungry for gold. Lots of talent, but not as impressed as I am with some other teams defensively or goaltending wise. If they medal, like Andrew mentioned, I'm thinking bronze.


Time to look at Canada's game.


Roster:

Roberto Luongo - 1 - Goalie
Carey Price - 31 - Goalie
Mike Smith - 41 - Goalie
Duncan Keith - 2 - Defense
Dan Hamhuis - 5 - Defense
Shea Weber - 6 - Defense
Drew Doughty - 8 - Defense
Jay Bouwmeester - 19 - Defense
Alex Pietrangelo - 27 - Defense
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - 44 - Defense
PK Subban - 76 - Defense
Matt Duchene - 9 - Forward
Patrick Sharp - 10 - Forward
Patrick Marleau - 12 - Forward
Chris Kunitz - 14 - Forward
Ryan Getzlaf - 15 - Forward
Jonathan Toews - 16 - Forward
John Taveres - 20 - Forward
Jamie Benn - 22 - Forward
Corey Perry - 24 - Forward
Patrice Bergeron - 37 - Forward
Rick Nash - 61 - Forward
Jeff Carter - 77 - Forward
Sidney Crosby - 87 - Forward
Steven Stamkos - 91 - Forward

Notes:

Andrew - Canada is coming off of Gold in Vancouver and have the roster to repeat in Sochi. This roster is stacked with talent and puck moving defensemen and these players will take advantage of the bigger ice. The only real question with Canada is who will play goal and can they withstand enough in the late rounds of the tournament to allow them to reach gold again. This team should be fun to watch, especially if they pair Matt Duchene with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz on the top line. I look for Canada to have a really good shot at winning gold again.

Brandon - A team loaded with talent and a coach that knows how to use it.  Team Canada could score 462 goals because that is just how much talent this team has.  Like the US team Canada's goalies are playing horribly right now with the exception of Mike Smith who is probably playing the best out of the three.  There is no reason Canada shouldn't win goal again unless their goalies fail to show up.

Haylie - Can they repeat at gold? I think this one's going to come down a lot to goaltending and if the starting goaltender can keep up. Extremely talented team with a great coach, great chance to come out on top again. OOOOO CAAAANADAAAA.


Time to look at one of our favorite teams, Finland




Roster -

Anti Niemi - 31 - Goalie
Kari Lehtonen - 32 - Goalie
Tukka Rask - 40 - Goalie
Olli Maatta - 3 - Defense
Ossi Vaanamen - 4 - Defense
Lasse Kukkonen - 5 - Defense
Sami Salo - 6 - Defense
Sami Lepisto - 18 - Defense
Jusso Hietanen - 38 - Defense
Kimmo Timonen - 44 - Defense
Sami Vatanen - 45 - Defense
Teemu Selanne - 8 - Forward
Mikko Koivu - 9 - Forward
Olli Jokinen - 12 - Forward
Tuomo Ruutu - 15 - Forward
Alexsander Barkov - 16 - Forward
Jori Lehtera - 21 - Forward
Petri Kontiola - 27 - Forward
Lauri Korpikoski - 28 - Forward
Jussi Jokinen - 36 - Forward
Antti Pihlstrom - 41 - Forward
Juhamatti Aaltonen - 50 - Forward
Valterri Flippula - 51 - Forward
Mikkael Granlund - 64 - Forward
Leo Komarov - 71 - Forward

Notes:

Andrew - Finland is not only the best dressed team in Sochi, but also probably has the best mix of young and old players. Teemu Forever also. With the way Tukka Rask can steal a tournament, Olli Maatta can shut down any player and this team has skill, look for them to medal again, like they always do and have a legitimate shot at Gold.

Brandon - Olli Maatta.  Teemu Selanne.  The top 2 reason we want Finland to win goal.  They probably have the best goalie combination in the Olympics and they may have to steal the show for Finland to win gold.

Haylie - Finland has a lot of strengths all around, which will make them a strong contender given that they are able to produce offensively. That also really shouldn't be an issue with forwards like Teemu and Jussi, plus many others. Really expecting them to do well and medal.


We're going to stay in Scandinavia and look at Sweden

Roster -

Jhonas Enroth - 1 - Goalie
Henrik Lundqvist - 30 - Goalie
Jonas Gustavsson - 50 - Goalie
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - 3 - Defense
Niklas Hjalmarsson - 4 - Defense
Henrik Tallinder - 7 - Defense
Alexander Edler - 23 - Defense
Johnny Oduya - 27 - Defense
Jonathan Ericsson - 52 - Defense
Niklas Kronwall - 55 - Defense
Erik Karlsson - 65 - Defense
Daniel Alfredsson - 11 - Forward
Patrik Berglund - 14 - Forward
Marcus Kruger - 16 - Forward
Jakob Silfverberg - 18 - Forward
Nicklas Backstrom - 19 - Forward
Alexander Steen - 20 - Forward
Loui Ericsson - 21 - Forward
Daniel Sedin - 22 - Forward
Henrik Sedin - 33 - Forward
Henrik Zetterberg - 40 - Forward
Jimmie Ericsson - 42 - Forward
Carl Hagelin - 62 - Forward
Gabriel Landeskog - 92 - Forward
Johan Franzen - 93 - Forward

Notes:

Andrew - Sweden might be the second most complete team behind Canada but I don't like their chances with Lundqvist. Sweden does have a good shot a medal, but I just don't really like them over Russia, Canada, Finland, and the USA but they could shock me.

Brandon - The Swede's are always good.  They have one of the most talented teams going to the olympics.  They can match up with Russia, Finland, US, and Canada.  Sweden is another team that will go as far as their goaltending takes them.

Haylie - Loaded with talent just like the other teams. Could run into trouble with goaltending, but we'll have to see how that one shapes up when they play.


Time to Czech in our buddy Jagr with the Czech's.

Roster -

Jakub Kovar - 1 - Goalie
Ondrej Pavelic - 31 - Goalie
Alexander Salak - 53 - Goalie
Marek Zidlicky - 2 - Defense
Radko Gudas - 3 -Defense
Ladislav Smid - 5 - Defense
Tomas Kaberle - 7 - Defense
Michal Barinka - 8 - Defense
Zbynek Michalek - 23 - Defense
Lukas Krajicek - 25 - Defense
Michal Rozsival - 32 - Defense
Milan Michalek - 9 - Forward
Roman Cervenka - 10 - Forward
Martin Hanzal - 11 - Forward
Jiri Novotny - 12 - Forward
Tomas Plekanec - 14 - Forward
Vladimir Sobotka - 17 - Forward
Ondrej Palat - 18 - Forward
Patrik Elias - 26 - Forward
David Krejci - 46 - Forward
Michael Frolik - 67 - Forward
Jaromir Jagr - 68 - Forward
Alex Hemsky - 83 - Forward
Jakub Voracek - 89 - Forward
Petr Nedved - 93 - Forward

Notes -

Andrew - The Czech team is interesting. A lot of big names like Jagr, Nedved who are legends and a pretty solid defense. The only real question with this team is Ondrej Pavelec in net. Elias and Jagr on the same line playing together all year should do wonders for this team and provide some much needed leadership for them. I'm not sure what I think of their chances but I wouldn't be shocked to see them atleast make a run. Double J for Life.

Brandon - Double J forever <3.  It will be nice to see our good friend Petr Nedved play again.  The Czech's can match up offensively with anyone.  The questions lie in the defense and the goaltending.  Would you be comfortable going to battle with Ondrej Pavelic?

Haylie -This team has great offensive power from Jagr, Nedved, and the rest of their forwards but their real woes are going to come from their defense and goaltending. Not exactly the most impressive from the puck possession stance. And Pavelec? I don't know about that one.


Slovakia


Notable NHL Players:

Peter Budaj - 31 - Goalie
Jaroslav Halak - 41 - Goalie
Andrej Meszaros - 14 - Defense
Lubomir Visnovsky - 17 - Defense
Zdeno Chara - 33 - Defense
Andrej Sekera - 44 - Defense
Martin Marincin - 52 - Defense
Marian Gaborik - 10 - Forward
Tomas Jurco - 13 - Forward
Michal Handzus - 26 - Forward
Richard Panik - 28 - Forward 
Tomas Surovy - 43 - Forward
Marian Hossa - 81 - Forward
Tomas Kopecky - 82 - Forward
Tomas Tatar - 90 - Forward

Notes -

Andrew - The Slovaks have an interesting team with an assortment of NHL stars and KHL stars. Former Penguin great Tomas Surovy is on the team but they also have superstars like Hossa and Chara. Zdeno Chara should make them somewhat of a contender, but the big ice means more room for superstars to skate around him. I believe the Slovaks are going to be very competitive, but I don't think they medal.

Brandon - Slovakia has no one better to put on their team than Tomas Surovy?  Wow.  Didn't know he actually still played hockey.  The Slovaks have enough fire power to match anyone.  Jaroslav Halak could be this years Ryan Miller.

Haylie - These guys definitely have some solid players all around but with Slovakia being in Group A alongside Russia and USA, I'm not seeing anything big from them, sorry.


Slovenia


Notable Players -

Anze Kopitar - 11 - Forward

Notes -

Andrew - Slovenia probably doesn't stand a chance against juggernauts like Canada. Kopitar is really the only superstar on this team and I don't think he can carry the team past the first round or something.

Brandon - Lol good luck.

Haylie - Go Anze!

Switzerland


Notable Players -

Jonas Hiller - 1 - Goalie
Reto Berra - 20 - Goalie
Yannick Weber - 6 - Defense
Mark Streit - 7 - Defense
Raphael Diaz - 16 - Defense
Roman Josi - 90 - Defense
Nino Niederreiter - 22 - Forward
Damien Brunner - 96 - Forward

Notes -

Andrew - The Swiss have a good solid 1-2 punch in net, but that's about the extent of there strengths. Look for them to be eliminated fairly early after the Round Robin.

Brandon - Like these guys have a chance.

Haylie - Yeah, not really expecting too much here either.


Not doing a preview for Latvia, Norway, or Austria because they don't really have any NHL players and I don't see them doing anything in the tournament.

Medal Predictions


Gold

Andrew : Russia
Brandon : Finland
Haylie : Canada

Silver

Andrew : Canada
Brandon : Czech Republic
Haylie : Russia

Bronze

Andrew : Finland
Brandon : Russia
Haylie: Finland





















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