I think the US is clearly better with Hull out of the lineup and out of the dressing room (I haven't read that he's back, so I'll assume he's still out).
This should be a pretty good game - lots of hitting - may turn nasty.
I give a goaltending edge to the Finns, but not a huge one. Defensively (overall - not just the D) I like them, too - they actually have a system in place. But, especially if Tkachuk is going ape again, the offensive edge goes to the States.
I'll take the Finns, but only because (despite the game against Germany), they're playing better as a team.
In the other, uh, lemme see - Canada. But the Czechs are a good team. This one may be *really* nasty.
This should be a pretty good game - lots of hitting - may turn nasty.
I give a goaltending edge to the Finns, but not a huge one. Defensively (overall - not just the D) I like them, too - they actually have a system in place. But, especially if Tkachuk is going ape again, the offensive edge goes to the States.
I'll take the Finns, but only because (despite the game against Germany), they're playing better as a team.
In the other, uh, lemme see - Canada. But the Czechs are a good team. This one may be *really* nasty.