I’m making a thread to discuss both games today: -13:00 EST / 10:00 PST ― CAN vs. FIN -20:00 EST / 17:00 PST ― USA vs. SWE
Team Canada news: Cale Makar is playing, Binnington gets the start.
If the first game ends in regulation, the winner will advance to the final against USA. In case it goes to overtime, the door will be open for Sweden to advance with a regulation win.
UPDATE: Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) will not play tonight, Chris Kreider will dress instead. Charlie McAvoy will also not play (I think? The article just says he will be replaced by Jake Sanderson, nothing else). Oettinger will start for USA; SWE goalie still tba.
UPDATE 2: As per Elliote Friedman just now, Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson are out for team Sweden (rip oilers), Leo Carlsson and Rasmus Andersson are in. Linus Ullmark is expected to start.
UPDATE 3:
Results of early game
CAN 5 - 3 SWE
★ Nathan Mackinnon (2G) ★★ Connor McDavid (1G, 1A) ★★★ Mikael Granlund (2G)
Finland roared back from a 4-0 deficit with seven minutes remaining in the game, causing a spike in heart rate across Canada when they made it a 4-3 game in the final minute. Sidney Crosby released the tension with an empty-net goal a few seconds later, punching Canada’s ticket to the final on Thursday. The USA vs. SWE game later today is officially for pride only.
UPDATE 4: It turns out Elliotte Friedman was wrong, because I’m sitting here watching Ekholm and Arvidsson clearly playing. Rakell and Zibanejad are the actual scratches. Brady Tkachuk has also gone down with an injury. That’s rough for team USA.
FINAL UPDATE:
Late game results
USA 1 - 2 SWE
★ Jesper Bratt (1G) ★★ Samuel Ersson (.969 SV%) ★★★ Zach Werenski (1A)
Team USA battled hard despite a bite from the injury bug (missing Matthews, McAvoy, both Tkachuks), but ultimately fell short of the win. Sweden was able to hold on to a narrow lead thanks in large part to a stellar goaltending performance from Samuel Ersson.
Thanks for hanging out everyone, it’s been fun. Someone else will have to post the game thread on Thursday, as I’m going to be busy until at least the 2nd period. I’m looking forward to joining the discussion later on when I get the chance.
Until next time, take 'er easy, buds!
I gotta say, this is way more intense than I expected this series to be. And I don’t think I’m the only one, thinking back to comments I saw before the start - many people thought it would just be another all star game.
Good idea and execution by the NHL and the organizers.
Agree completely. Especially a good move prior to the Olympics. The energy has been insane.
Although, I have a sneaking suspicion this is probably the last event I get to see the US play internationally any time soon. Which, from just a hockey development perspective blows. But I get it.
Yeah. I was going to say that it’s too bad Russia is absent (for good reasons).
Agreed. I hope that situation gets worked out eventually.
I really want there to be a Central Europe team in the next iteration as well, give players like Draisaitl and Pastrnak a chance to participate.
This.
Literally kills me Kopitar isn’t involved in something like this.
Yeah, as someone who is a really big fan of guys like Datsyuk, it kills me having to avoid anything Russian hockey because of everything.
It really sucks knowing we should probably end up in that same boat sooner than later.
Personally, I’m convinced Y2K was actually a thing and we somehow forked off of our previous reality and are now stuck in whatever the hell this is these days.
My theory is that Rush drummer and lyricist Neil Peart was holding the world together. He died in January, 2020.
The Goat imho.
Yeah. Lately I’ve been listening more closely to Clockwork Angels and it’s like, “Damn.”
“A missing part of me that grows around me like a cage.”
I only recently learned there’s a book that expands that story, and reading it has me appreciating the album even more.
I ruined two tips on my parents record player in high school just from playing 2112 over and over again.
I didn’t come to fully understand the sheer totality of what he did until later in life. When I learned that he was the writer on top of drumming he instantly shot up to the best ever in my book. Not that he was far off to begin with, but still.
Dominant first period by Canada. We play this way against the US, I like our chances.
Also it’s weird to see McDavid and Doughty being pals
DD has always seemed to be the kind of guy that still has that 12 year old sense of wonder in him. Like, he grew up a massive Canadian team fan and a Kings fan. Not playing in those sweaters is just something that doesn’t compute for him. He flips the switch from hate to love with any new team mates. Has always been amazing in the locker room because of it.
Kempe got a win so at least that’s a thing.
Cheers to the rematch.
Still waiting for the Pettersson Miller feud to pop off
I’d take a jump start to the game.
Welp, Canada had their future in their hands and they handled business.
Now it’s just a game for pride before finals for the US and Swede’s. Shame for the guys who can’t suit up today but kudos to the scratches who will get to wear their nation’s colors for a game.
Can’t wait to see if the US can pull it off against big brother.
Cheers and grats ya nerds.
Canada-USA Electric Boogaloo incoming
Empty net goal aside, the US Canada game was very close on the scoreboard and in shots. Let’s go Canada and get into the game on Thursday!
Honestly don’t see how we don’t see a CA v US rematch at this point. Fins are in a super deep hole early on.
Me neither. What happens if Canada wins and Sweden beats the US tonight? There’d be a tie for 2nd.
Canada has to win in regulation OR it gives the Swedes a chance to win in regulation to take 2nd. 3 points for a win if it doesn’t go to OT.
ETA: Canada has the tie breaker in their favor against Sweden if Sweden wins in regulation and Canada does as well.
McDavid and Mackinnon off to a hot start! Finland taking their timeout 5 minutes into the 1st.
Point with the third goal in the first! I feel for the Finns but let’s keep it going
Oooof. Tkachuk GM’s are cringing for sure.
Shakes fist…
Eta: shakes fist harder
Brady playing with a Bluetooth in his ear while Matthew telling him who to hit.
Late push by Finland, we might have a game here
Granlund making the Canadian collective pucker 😛
Yeah this is getting interesting!
Who is out for sure from the US on Thursday? Is it anyone?
Fuck these ozempic ads
Not sure how I feel about Matthew Tkachuk not playing. He must be seriously hurt. Guy played the finals with a broken sternum… Shame
It sounds like he’ll be good for Thursday, but we’ll see when we get there. I agree, he’s kind of a spiritual leader on that team and not the type of guy to sit out over being banged up.
Glad to hear it sounds like he is good for the finals.
I love hating on Tkachuk’s but it’s the same hate I have for guys like Marchand. Hate to play against them, love it when they occasionally find their way on a side I’m rooting for. Would always welcome that type of player on the Kings.
