Now the real, mentally hard, games begin.
Russia vs Finland
Team Russia is based on individual skill on offensive end. They have very skillful forwards, playmakers but essentially snipers. On a good day they are almost unstopable, but on a bad day almost nothing goes their way. If they cannot produce there's a good chance they get frustrated and if this happens, they are out of the competition. Their weakest point imo is the five men defence system. When some of the offensive players doesn't contribute at the defensive end, it opens scoring opporturnities for the opposing team.
Team Finland has based their game on their defence which can make great passes that can lead to 2-1, 3-1 or even breakaway situations. Team Finland is capable of playing very physical if needed and this, imo, could make or break Team Finland's chances. If the physical play doesn't go overboard in the refs eyes then I'd say Team Finland has a good chances on advancing to the second round. Team Finlands biggest weakness is the offensive game which has been the biggest let down.
It can be an easy win for Team Russia or a close win for Team Finland.
Czech rep vs USA
Team Czech rep is much like Team Russia but imo their team is more balanced. They have a slightly weaker offensive play but also slightly better defensive game. Team Czech Republic goalies are better than Team Russia's goalies. The czechs play an offensive style of game and this creates bunch of scoring chances. Their weakness is pretty much their mentallity. If the oppositon can defend well, they try with more risk and this leaves more holes in their defence and if the opposition scored first, there's a chance that their game just falls apart.
Team USA plays a typical north american style of hockey. They are physical team but there are also skillful forwards. The defence is filled with physical, strong and big men. The defence is also quite slow. Team USA also usually plays very disciplined game and they play the game with heart and sometimes they might go overboard with their physical play. Team USA's strenght is that they play the game as a one unit most of the game. Their offensive players also contribute in the defensive end, maybe a little more than other teams forwards. Their weakness is a slow defence.
If the Czech's score the first of the game, they will win but the Team USA won't give up so easily so they can't be counted out so fast. However I do believe that Czech's offensive players are fast enough to take the win in this one.
Canada vs Slovakia
Team Canada. On paper clearly the best team in the tournament but in real life, that doesn't count much. Team Canada has slumped in a big way. Their strenght is their offensive talent and their will to win. Their weakness is imo goaltending. Luongo and Brodeur haven't performing at their usual level. The ice is also bigger that they are normally used to. At this point I don't recall if Luongo played somewhere during this season's lock out but his performances haven't been up to par imo. Also few of their players seems to look down to their opponents and in hockey, this is always a bad thing.
Team Slovakia has also a great team on paper. They have the offensive talent but they also has capable defence and good goaltending. While their opponent has slumped a bit, Team Slovakia has been perfoming well together. They seem to play more as a team rather than indivuduals. That is their biggest strenght. They have no great weakness in their game but they don't have a streght that is much more greater than the opposing team. Hope you understand what I mean with this.
I see an upset in the making. Team Slovakia has a great chance of pulling through. I say Team Slovakia advances.
Sweden vs Switzerland
This is the easiest one. Team Sweden has the upper hand in every aspect. They have better offensive game, better defensive game and better goaltending. The only thing that can ruin their game if they doesn't respect the opposition and come to the game with their jackets wide open. They need to play their normal game and they will win. I don't see the Swiss having a chance of winning this one but of course they will try as hard as they can. Team Switzerland can only be better in one thing: They will try harder to win than the Swedish. However, imo this is not enough and Team Sweden will advance.
This is my analysis which can be inaccurate in some points but this is how I see the teams and their chances.
I think that Finns can beat us very easy : Sokolov is very shaky and our D suck big time,
