| Olympic Betting Preview Part 2: Sweden + Usa | |
| Betting Resources - Blog |
n part one of this blog we examined some of things that may decide the outcome of this tournament and we took a close look at Team Canada and where they may finish, In part two we will look at the remaining teams that will threaten to medal at the 2010 games. Team Sweden Here's the full lineup: Goalkeepers include Jonas Gustavsson (Toronto Maple Leafs), Stefan Liv (HV71) and Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers). Defencemen are Tobias Enstrom (Atlanta Thrashers), Magnus Johansson (Linkopings HC), Niklas Kronwall (Detroit Red Wings), Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit Red Wings), Douglas Murray (San Jose Sharks), Johnny Oduya (New Jersey Devils), Henrik Tallinder (Buffalo Sabres) and Mattias Ohlund (Tampa Bay Lightning). At forward are Daniel Alfredsson (Ottawa Senators), Nicklas Backstrom (Washington Capitals), Loui Eriksson (Dallas Stars), Peter Forsberg (Modo Hockey), Tomas Holmstrom (Detroit Red Wings), Patric Hornqvist (Nashville Predators), Fredrik Modin (Columbus Blue Jackets), Samuel Pahlsson (Columbus Blue Jackets), Daniel Sedin (Vancouver Canucks), Henrik Sedin (Vancouver Canucks), Mattias Weinhandl (Dynamo Moskva) and Henrik Zetterberg (Detroit Red Wings). Outlook Team Sweden has the Sedins who are playing some of the best hockey in the world and that first line combo plus likely Alfredsson could be very tough but past this the Swede's lack the depth of their championship team, Holmstrom and Zetterberg are great pieces but Forsberg and Alfredsson are aging and Sundin is gone, This team has one very good scoring line an ok second line and is weak defensively given the level of competition. Odds The Swedes are relative long shots and books have them all over the map but for an outright win around +700 great value if you sensed a shocker but they are just simply to weak at the back the goaltending around the world is too strong and they lack the four solid lines they had in years they really threatened and won. Prediction Right now I'd say this team could easily fall out of the medals and have a real disappointing finish in 5th, Finland and Czech Republic are really closing on Sweden talent wise during these 2010 games and with hot goaltending could keep the Swedes from medaling. Next we move on the USA FORWARDS: David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Phil Kessel, Jamie Langenbrunner, Ryan Malone, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Stastny. DEFENSEMEN: Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Ryan Suter. GOALTENDERS: Ryan Miller, Jonathan Quick, Tim Thomas. Outlook The US brings in great goaltending with Ryan Miller and has a nice mix of skill and tough and young and old, this is very much a Brian Burke blue collar team with the occasional star and it's hard to argue this approach hasn't worked in the NHL, the only real knock in comparison to the Canadians is youth, alot of youngsters who maybe haven't played and won big games. Odds Team USA offers the best odds at +1000 or more of a team with a real shot to win this tournament they won't have the Canadians expectations or Russia's fire-power but in games with playoff atmosphere ugly often wins, and not to say that its ugly hockey but going to the net winning the battles for the puck, having the grit and determination to make plays and this team has many players in that image. Prediction I really think the Americans could win this tournament but to do it Ryan Miller is going to have to be special, and he may have played a little too much hockey already to be as BIG as he'll have to be, so I'll put the Americans likely second or third with an outside chance of stealing the big prize. |
