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

[Atas2000]

I think that also speaks to the Russians having better chemistry, conditioning, etc. as well.

To be fair, because of COVID other countries barely had any hockey this season. We are comfortably past the mid-mark of the season in Russia. All those players are in mid-season shape.

 

[Osprey]

Seeing that interview with Vasili Ponomaryov suddenly made me feel not so bad about losing 4-1. He was all smiles, especially when he said that they were winning with "garbage hockey." I like him.

 

[KaseMeOutside]

If this USA team doesn't get gold, it's a massive failure for this group. I get they don't have Hughes, but Caufield, Zegras, Turcotte, York, Knight, Kaliyev, and with the addition of Sanderson and Beniers is sick talent. Turcotte has looked like dogs***. Didn't a poster have him as the #1 player on his draft board last year?

Everyone just needs to relax, the Russians have been able to play competitive hockey and most of the Americans really haven't been able to. Russia clearly looks alot better but lets play a few games

 

[ORRFForever]

Let it go

Will do.

 

[jj cale]

Hope the U.,S gets the next one to maybe switch the momentum here and get a good 3rd period, if Russia gets one more it's basically over, the U.S aren't getting 4 unanswered tonight.

 

[Sens of Anarchy]

Maybe, but the Russians spanked Canada in round robin action last year and at the end was it them with gold medals around their necks?

It's too early.

Fun though .

 

[Sean Garrity]

Maybe take Zegras off that line and put on a more aggressive player?

Split up Turcotte and Zegras altogether. Both are better with the puck on their stick and there's only one puck. They haven't shown to have great chemistry together, the latter half of the 2nd was more about effort.

 

[The Burdened]

Caufield has a primary assist and has had the most scoring chances by far. I know it sounds like I'm just pulling for my team's prospect but Caufield is carrying the team right now.

Unfortunately, yes it does.
I'm a Flyers fan and York has the goal, but even I can admit he has not looked good.

What I mean is we need those 3 players to be more threatening; we're counting on them for so much. Not saying Caufield or those other 2 are having bad games, they are just not making it happen atm. We all know they have the talent to get it going, just a matter of if they can

 

[NJ DevLolz]

They had a far better team last year and that was a massive failure thanks to the incompetent coach. They are not as deep this year.

Of consequence, they lost Pinto and Robertson and gained Beniers and Sanderson. On paper, it looks like a wash, but then you have supposed natural progression from the '19 draftees

 

[jj cale]

Fun though .

Most certainly was

 

[Fatass]

Well if you think he's setting a low bar you're clearly not being objective.

I think by the “low bar” comment he means the other US forwards aren’t playing very good, so Cole stands out.

 

[Big Empty]

Carrying them where, exactly?

What are you trying to say exactly. He created the play on the team's only goal. Has been creating plays all night. He's been the highlight of a shitty team so far.

 

[Boonk]

My observations so far
Russia:
- Offence is good. Like reeeally good. Lots of experience and potency with their forwards, they are clearly not a joke. As always with Russia.
- Defense is kinda meh so far but they've gotten the job done. It seems easier for the more offensive teams to contain them in their own zone as evident by the Canada exhibition game and late in the 2nd period. They're gonna need to work on that if they're going head to head with the Swedes or the Canadians.
- Askarov looks like he's on another level compared to last year's tournament but he's still giving up some juicy rebounds. Luckily the US hasn't capitalized on them. He'll probably get even better as the tournament goes on which is kinda scary. Do not look forward to facing him.

USA:
- Caufield is good but the offence overall is meh. This US team clearly has the firepower to do damage but you can tell early on that they're not up to speed. They'll need to wake up if they want to outhustle the more defensive teams like Canada and Sweden.
- Defense looks atrocious so far. They really need to get going as the tournament progresses.
- Knight...woof. Tough game. Wolf has to keep everything out from this point out.

Cleary the Russians are more up to speed than the Americans and they look like a gold medal contender so far.

 

[habsrule4eva3089]

Russia's dman always pinching on the boards in the ozone.

Love that brand of Hockey. They don't have any elite guys it seems on the backend but the team play is already established.

 

[tictactoe]

I meant the Ponomaryov interview, not sure what you're talking about though

I wish I heard Ponomaryov interview... I heard Patrick Moynihan

 

[Sean Garrity]

To be fair, because of COVID other countries barely had any hockey this season. We are comforably past the mid-mark of the season in Russia. All those players are in mid-season shape.

People are acting like this is the end of the world for team USA, when in reality they might be getting outclassed by a team that is on par or even slightly better talent wise, but as for as things like chemistry, conditioning, confidence, etc. they are light years ahead.

 

[x DeCruze]

York is having a bad game... Thrun and Faber have been the only solid two imo.

Lol ok. So one play where it's a quick outlet pass where he was flat footed. Other than that, he's had no turnovers, moving the puck quickly to the open guy, been defending with a good stick, moving the puck out of the zone with ease. His biggest issue and this is just not his game, is he doesn't hold on to the puck long enough to create a play out of nothing. Oh and he's got the only successful offensive chance vs Russia.

 

[tictactoe]

Russian defence has been stellar these past 2 games. Keeping everything to the outside.

yes they looked decent against Canada too
.

 

[Del Preston]

Is Wolf actually 6'0?

 

[Big Empty]

Askarov is the best goalie prospect since Price

 

[Fatass]

Zegras is so good. Him and Cole should be paired for the rest of the tourney. I like Turcotte on that line. The line is good.

Yes, the three are very good players. Turcott becomes the digger, and defensive conscience for the group. Just think a guy like Brink might be a better fit than Zegras.

 

[ViD]

Offence is good. Like reeeally good. Lots of experience and potency with their forwards, they are clearly not a joke. As always with Russia.
- Defense is kinda meh so far but they've gotten the job done. It seems easier for the more offensive teams to contain them

I actually had it the other way around. Defense is solid and offense is underperforming. Two goals were simply given to us.

 

[bsu]

Lol ok. So one play where it's a quick outlet pass where he was flat footed. Other than that, he's had no turnovers, moving the puck quickly to the open guy, been defending with a good stick, moving the puck out of the zone with ease. His biggest issue and this is just not his game, is he doesn't hold on to the puck long enough to create a play out of nothing. Oh and he's got the only successful offensive chance vs Russia.

Look at what started the last goal that Knight misplayed.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

What are you trying to say exactly. He created the play on the team's only goal. Has been creating plays all night. He's been the highlight of a shitty team so far.

I mean I think he has been good. Trying to sight his assist like he did...anything noteworthy is a massive stretch though. He made a routine pass to the point and then the goalie fluffed a wrister from the point.

 

[CupofOil]

When Brink & Kaliyev have been the forwards who have had the best scoring chances, that's a problem.
Caufield, Zegras, and Turcotte need to get it together and make something happen.

Caufield has created the most chances in this game, he's certainly doing his part. He's the only US forward who has been consistently dangerous.