The daily Olympics top story on Hockey Hot Stove is powered by Watrhouse Brands, dedicated to quality, consumer education and awareness: Benevolent Bakery, SoSHEL beverages and Smokiez vegan fruit chews.
Led by Mika Zibanejad and Lucas Raymond, Sweden defeated Latvia 5-1 on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals today. Tre Kroner faces Team USA with a berth in the semis at stake. Several teams have teammates on opposite sides including the Rangers, who will see Zib go up against JT Miller, Vincent Trocheck, coach Mike Sullivan and associate coach David Quinn.
USA Lines in practice Tuesday and likely lines against Sweden:
Tkachuk-Eichel-M.Tkachuk
Guentzel-Matthews-Boldy
Keller-Larkin-Thompson
Miller-Nelson-Hughes
Trocheck Connor
Hughes-McAvoy
Slavin-Faber
Sanderson-Werenski
Hanifin-LaCombe
Charlie McAvoy shed the cage, Brock Nelson has one now though.
Quarterfinals matchups Wednesday:
Team Sweden outlook
Mika Zibanejad scored a goal and added an assist Tuesday in Sweden’s 5-1 win over Latvia in the qualifier play-off. He now has five points (two goals, three assists) in four games, tied for second on Sweden behind Lucas Raymond, who had three assists Tuesday and leads Sweden with eight points (one goal, seven assists).
The Swedes are led by Raymond, Mika Zibanejad, Rasmus Dahlin, Victor Hedman, Gabe Landeskog, Adrian Kempe, and William Nylander. The only question is whether Tre Kroner sticks with Jacob Markstrom, who got the nod over Filip Gustavsson in net in their win on Tuesday. After surprisingly scratched m Tuesday, will Jesper Bratt get back in the lineup? Same with Rasmus Andersson.
Eleven teams, including the Blueshirts, have teammates matching up in the contest. For one day, alliances are pushed to the sidelines.
What others are saying
For the Rangers, bragging rights in the Blueshirts’ locker room and a berth in the semi-finals are on the line:
Greg Wyshynski predictions for the quarters, semi and finals:
This is the fun and stressful part of the tournament. Most want a US-Canada final but work remains to be done by both teams. The US has a harder road on paper to get there, starting with Sweden, so nothing is set in stone.
