GDT: Russia Vs USA - 12/25 - 9:30 PM ET - TSN/NHLN

[Del Preston]

Askarov vs Knight

Nice.

 

[ORRFForever]

Good 1st period. Anyone changing their predictions... Pretty even.

I predicted O.T. so no.

 

[Odie Cleghorn]

I don't understand why so many old fart GMs still have a bias against undersized players when it's been proven speed & skill > size in the modern NHL

Exactly. Size without decent skating, skill and good hockey sense is worthless.

 

[ViD]

That was a defensive minded first period. Neither team can string a few passes together without turning it over.

Not impressed with any Russian forward in this period, barely any creativity or skill on display there.

Certainly a weak goal for Askarov, didn’t really look like it was deflected

 

[EveryDay]

Caufield got 13sec of play in the last 7min.... great.

 

[bsu]

Askarov has been aggressive and broke up a lot of chip plays. He needs to be careful though....

 

[Ginger Papa]

Great period to start. First 10 minutes favoured the Russians and the latter was the US imho. Nice, skilled play that seemed to pick up as it went along.

 

[Wishywashy20]

I would have to give the edge in the first period to the Russians. Let hope for more scoring going forward.

i really like Russian game so far.
Very fast hockey
Well done.

 

[Fatass]

Have I seen the great Russian teams.. lol... Ok Don Cherry.

The majority of players, at the top level, shoot left. The great Soviet teams of the 70’s (like the 72 club) had not right shot guys, except the goalies. Other than OV, how many great Russians shot right?

 

[NinjaKick]

Askarov's puck handling really stands out.. as a big Brodeur fan it's save to say I'm becoming a fan of this player

 

[SI90]

Barzal and point are fairly similar stylistically but to be compared to either is pretty awesome for the kid.

Points a way better goal scorer and better defensively- Barzal better skater and play
Maker but definitely they play similar with the puck. Like you said, either way it’s great to be compared to them.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Faber on the PP?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

US fighting the puck big time. Seemed like they bobbled it like a dozen times

 

[ViD]

I do not know about Askarov.. not impressed.

Other than the goal, he was flawless

 

[SI90]

Askarov's puck handling really stands out.. as a big Brodeur fan it's save to say I'm becoming a fan of this player

wish they would get rid of the damn trapezoid

 

[NorCalhockey]

Zegras was kinda invisible in that period. US needs their playmaker/most creative guy to show up

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Askarov's puck handling really stands out.. as a big Brodeur fan it's save to say I'm becoming a fan of this player

Askarov will be loved in Nashville very soon I'm thinking

 

[ViD]

The majority of players, at the top level, shoot left. The great Soviet teams of the 70’s (like the 72 club) had not right shot guys, except the goalies. Other than OV, how many great Russians shot right?

Kovalchuk , Panarin

 

[GKJ]

I wonder if anyone at all thinks this Russian team plays like the Russian Five. Don’t think I’ve heard them referenced

 

[Tralfamadore]

Caufield got 13sec of play in the last 7min.... great.

He's a liability out there.

 

[SI90]

Good period.

That Russian counter attack is fun to watch and something any team needs to be fully aware of who is playing them.

There is certainly a stylistic difference between the way this Russian team under Larionov plays compared to the Bragin coached teams.

It seems a return to the classic Russian/Soviet looping style of attack from years past as has been noted before. Russia has a strong skating team, thought the Yanks got better in the 2nd half. It’s a pretty tight checking game.

If you’re the Russian Brain trust after seeing this game thus far and prelims I think you have to love the way Larionov has these boys playing.

 

[ORRFForever]

i really like Russian game so far.
Very fast hockey
Well done.

Yes. Minus the weak goal and the minutes that followed, they were the better team.

 

[EveryDay]

He's a liability out there.

Hahahahah yeah sure! Like Laine is a liability on the ice. Funny Guy

 

[SI90]

Zegras needs to be more noticeable too if USA is going to have a chance.

 

[NorCalhockey]

I wonder if anyone at all thinks this Russian team plays like the Russian Five. Don’t think I’ve heard them referenced

If you watch the NHL network, they did make the comparison to the Russian Five