Tuesday's Olympic Play-In Games
By Judd Hall
Normally when you talk about the playoffs in every other sport, you know you’re going to usually get the best of the best. Not in the men’s hockey tournament in the Olympics. That’s because all 12 teams make it to the knockout phase. So there are eight countries playing on Tuesday, which teams or totals are the best bets to make? Let’s look at all four games.
Belarus vs. Sweden – 3:00 p.m. EST
It’s nice for teams that are in the bottom tier of a tourney like this one to muster up the strength to get a win. Belarus was able to do that in its Group C finale against the Germans with a 5-3 triumph. What’s so impressive about that win for the White Russians is that they were playing great enough defense that they overcame a 40-17 deficit in shots on goal.
Switzerland had its hands full with the Norwegians in its Group A closer, winning 5-4 in overtime. Jonas Hiller was up to the task for the Swiss between the pipes, stopping 19 of 23 SOG from Norway.
While we can’t discount the win for the White Russians, we’re going to side with those chocolate-loving fools from Switzerland in this game. Hiller has had a great tournament and they’ve played well in every game in the group phase. The puck line is very small, but that shouldn’t make you feel like Belarus will come out on top.
Fearless Selection: Switzerland on the puck line (-½, -130)
Germany vs. Canada – 7:30 p.m. EST
Even in the play-in portion of the tournament, Canada still gets preferred game-time treatment.
In fairness to the Canadians, they really should have won against the United States in their final group game. They have arguably the best talent of any team in the Olympics. Plus, they outshot the Americans 45-23 during the game. And a couple of the goals that were given up by Martin Brodeur should go in the “lucky” category. Mike Babcock won’t let that happen on Tuesday as he’s putting Vancouver’s Roberto Luongo between the pipes.
As far as the Germans are concerned, this could be a shocker to end all shockers for their team. Too bad it isn’t going to happen, but we should see a lopsided score.
Fearless Selection: Over 7 (+115)
Latvia vs. Czech Republic – 10:00 p.m. EST
In the game against Russia, I felt the Czechs were going in with the better defense. We now all know that was far from the truth. Yet I can’t help but feel that was more of a fluke against a fantastic offense.
Latvia comes into this tilt knowing that they can hang with the Czechs after losing in a 5-2 decision in Group B play. And yes, I know the Latvians got creamed 6-0 against Slovakia, but that doesn’t come into play in this spot for me.
Look for another hard fought contest, but the Czech Republic coming out on top.
Fearless Selection: Latvia on the puck line (+3 ½, -115)
Norway vs. Slovakia – 11:55 p.m. EST
The Norwegians put everything they had into a 5-4 extra time setback to Switzerland. As great as that showing was, that might have spent whatever Norway had left in the tank in that Group A closer.
Many folks are no doubt forgetting how Slovakia crushed Latvia, upset the Russians and held its own against the Czechs. If there was ever going to be a team that was a darkhorse for a medal, it’s the Slovaks.
We’ll see a close opening period between these two teams, but the Slovaks will pull away.
Fearless Selection: Slovakia on the puck line (-3 ½, -110)
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Tuesday’s Best Olympic Hockey Bets
Canada vs. Germany (-4.5, 7)
This is the fourth time NHL players are participating in the Winter Olympics and Canada is in danger of falling short of the gold for a third time.
Two bad goals, an inability to win face offs in the attacking zone and too many bad giveaways led to a 5-3 win for the U.S. over the pre-tournament gold medal faves. Now the Canucks have to win a play-in game against Germany just to make it to the quarterfinals.
“It is probably not what we wanted coming in,” Sidney Crosby told the Globe and Mail after the setback, “but that’s where we are. When you get to this point in the tournament, it’s not going to be easy. The fact that we have to play an extra game isn’t a terrible thing. We’ll be ready for it.”
Roberto Luongo will get the start in net after sub-par performance from Martin Brodeur. Whether its Luongo or Brodeur, you can be certain Team Canada will do a better job defensively.
Germany was shutout in its first two games and has just three goals on 85 shots this tourney.
Pick: Under
Czech Republic vs. Latvia (+3.5, 6)
Could one check have destroyed the Czechs? Alexander Ovechkin’s hit on Jaromir Jagr was clean, forceful and immediately led to a two-goal Russia lead.
Jagr was struggling to get space with the puck for much of the game but he made a nifty move in the neutral zone and was gaining speed. Ovechkin was there waiting for the rush and lowered the boom.
Jagr’s inability to shine in the tourney illustrates the Czechs’ problem – they’re not the same team they used to be. This squad used to be a top world power when Jagr was younger and Dominik Hasek was standing on his head between the pipes.
Latvia owns the worst power play so far in the tournament but goals shouldn’t be hard to come by if Czech goalie Tomas Vokoun continues to play shaky.
Pick: Latvia