GDT: Group A - May 5 - Sweden (1) vs Russia (2) SO

[EK47]

dear god get Nylander away from Söderberg and Karlsson

 

[Chimpradamus]

It was 2 min vs Panarin.

Yes, that was a legit penalty.

 

[Natt]

Agreed. All Swedish top forwards are still in the playoffs. There's not much left to pick from and those who are out, are old and worn. They've done their part. The big gamers, Bäckström, Forsberg, Rakell and Silfverberg are still playing. Also alot of excellent depth players are still playing.

It's not difficult to see that the forwards are the weakest part of the Swedish composition, but since the defense is so important and Sweden is absolutely stacked there, it's still a very strong team. As for goalies, all goalies hold a very high level at this age. Fasth, Läck, they are not game changers, but they can hold their team in the game and be solid.

Viktor Arvidsson, Alexander Steen and Marcus Johansson are also still in the playoffs. Weird that M. Backlund declined though, or was he not invited?

 

[EK47]

Slick moves Brodin

 

[EK47]

Söderberg and Karlsson are doing a fine job but they just don't mesh well with Nylander maybe it's just because it's the first game

 

[Chimpradamus]

7-4 in shots in favour of Sweden. That defense is tight.

 

[Hockeyfrilla]

Nylander looks bad

 

[Kshahdoo]

Well, the game could go in both ways, but it's still 1-0 Swedes. And the game isn't boring at all.

 

[Spender]

Nylander looks bad

Agreed, not good at all so far. I'm sure he'll get going though.

 

[ViD]

Russia played a better period, too bad they couldn't capitalize

 

[Kshahdoo]

7-4 in shots in favour of Sweden. That defense is tight.

Yeah, but Panarin and Mironov had very good positions to score, Swedes didn't have such opportunities.

 

[Chimpradamus]

Söderberg and Karlsson are doing a fine job but they just don't mesh well with Nylander maybe it's just because it's the first game

Nylander looks bad

I think so. Nylander hasn't had that much time to practice with the boys and he doesn't really know where they want to be. I think he will be much better after a couple of games in his legs.

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Not liking this hockey by Russia so far, the defence is quite bad and not much offence is being created. I hope they'll come out with a better 3rd period.

 

[Mauler]

Nylander looks bad

Well it is his first game in a new team give him a few games to get his game going

 

[BlitzSnipe]

Russia played a better period, too bad they couldn't capitalize

Better than Sweden? I'd say Sweden was playing better this period.

 

[VictorLustig]

Want to see more from Hedman and Strålman. All other defensemen have been great.

Nylander has been the weak link on his line so far.

 

[jimstark]

My god this Russian team is playing bad...where is Panarin, Kuchrov ? Gusev is not playing?? This is embarrassing...Only the 4 line is doing something and only Provorov looks calm and play simpel. This is very very very bad

 

[Mauler]

Russia played a better period, too bad they couldn't capitalize

I wouldnt go that far but they played better than the 1 period

 

[Dala]

Nylander looks like Nylander. Skating around, doing fancy stuff, waiting for an opportunity.

Kind of the exact opposite of Landeskog.

 

[ViD]

Sweden was nowhere to be found in the second period except the last few minutes

 

[ViD]

My god this Russian team is playing bad...where is Panarin, Kuchrov ? Gusev is not playing?? This is embarrassing...Only the 4 line is doing something and only Provorov looks calm and play simpel. This is very very very bad

You sure you're watching the game ? Russia is playing an ok game considering we are up against an elite blue line

 

[Dala]

Despite the score, Russia looks like the more dangerous team so far. Sweden's got the cycle going down deep but it "feels" more dangerous whenever Russia attacks.

 

[Chimpradamus]

I think the biggest reason why the Russian team isn't creating much is the Swedish team is very good at keeping very good gap control. The skilled Russian players don't have much time and space to get speed and momentum, one second and there's a Swede putting pressure on them and cutting lanes.

The Swedish TV booth just talked about how Swedish NHL defensemen are so much better at evaluating the situation, knowing when they should apply pressure, when to back away and with the puck; when to play tricky, when to play it safe. Add to that, basically every Swedish forward is very skilled in the two-way game.

I think both teams are playing quite well, of course both are not in synergy as this is the first game, but both teams can go very far. The tempo in the game is very high and even though there were only 11 shots in the 2nd period, the entertainment value was high.

This is a game between the Swedish D and the Russian offense and so far Sweden is winning.

 

[Kshahdoo]

It's so better to watch hockey without all those NHL add breaks.

 

[Kshahdoo]

Barabanov will have a nice future in the NHL one day.