United States vs. Russia
Time: 3:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: Bell Center
Streaming: NHL Network, TSN 1/3/4/5/4K
Sweden vs. Canada
Time: 7:00 pm Eastern Time
Location: Bell Center
Streaming: NHL Network, TSN 1/3/4/5/4K
Preview of Sweden vs. Canada
Sweden remains undefeated at the WJC. Led by Alex Nylander (who also leads the WJC in points at 11), the Swedes have out-scored all of the opposition they’ve faced so far (Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Czech Republic, and Slovakia) by a combined 26 goals to 9.
Team Sweden’s coach, Tomas Monten, is riding on the team’s underdog status. Before the tournament, he pointed out to Patrik B of Habs Eyes on the Prize that Team Sweden has far fewer first-round draft picks in its roster than other countries, especially Team Canada.
Monten has also calmly deflected accusations of bending under pressure leveled by Team Canada’s coach, Dominique Ducharme. Monten said that unlike last year, where the Swedes were highly touted yet finished fourth, this year’s Team Sweden is unlikely to choke. Monten said to TSN, “I think we have a group that doesn’t feel the pressure. We haven’t been the favourites and we don’t feel like that going into this game either.”
Buffalo Sabres’ prospect Alexander Nylander has clear memories of last year’s WJC losses. Nylander told TSN that the Swedes’ poor showing has spurred him onward in this tournament: “I’m really revengeful and I think my team is as well. I’m trying to take away what I learned and experienced last year and hopefully it won’t happen again.”
Although Sweden has won every game they’ve played, they have yet to face the type of high-level competition that Team Canada has already faced in their loss to Team USA. On Monday, Canada played just well enough to defeat Team Czech Republic and make it to the semifinal bracket.
According to captain Dylan Strome, the key to winning is taking short shifts: “You think you’re doing so much when you’re out there for longer periods of time, but you’re not. You’re staying out there too long and it’s causing guys on the bench to not get out there as much and I think when we do that we’re not as successful. So I think short shifts, keep them to 30 or 40 seconds (is important). We’re a four-line team and we come in waves.”
Team Canada’s lines have changed since they defeated the much weaker Team Czech Republic. Tyson Jost has replaced Pierre-Luc Dubois on the top line with captain Dylan Strome, to try to achieve some of the scoring chemistry that’s been sorely lacking there. Dubois replaces Jost on the third line. The second line of two Bolts and Mathew Barzal remains intact, as does the fourth line of Dillo Dubé, Anthony Cirelli, and Mitchell Stephens.
Will Team Canada manage to push through to the final, or will they suffer a defeat? Their defense will be hard pressed tonight, as will their goaltending.
Connor Ingram will be the starter tonight against Team Sweden.
Team Canada lines
Forwards
Tyson Jost – Dylan Strome – Blake Speers
Mathieu Joseph – Mathew Barzal – Taylor Raddysh
Pierre-Luc Dubois – Nicolas Roy – Julien Gauthier
Dillon Dubé – Anthony Cirelli – Mitchell Stephens
Michael McLeod
Defense
Thomas Chabot – Kale Clague
Jake Bean – Noah Juulsen
Jeremy Lauzon – Dante Fabbro
Goaltenders
Connor Ingram
Carter Hart
Team Sweden Lines
Forwards
Erikkson Ek – Asplund – Nylander
Dahlen – Grundstrom – Looke
Andersson – Karlstrom – Ahl
Petersson – Karlsson – Wingerli
Defense
Kylington – Carlsson
Bernhardt – Dahlen
Larsson – Gunnarsson
Goaltenders
Sandström
Gustavsson
