The United States comes to Sochi looking to avenge a tough loss to arch-rival Canada in 2010. The Americans, backed by goalie Ryan Miller, shocked everyone by advancing to the Gold medal game, and nearly upending the favorites and hosts. They eventually fell an OT goal short, but it was quite a run for the United States.
Four years later, the team is still a group of underdogs that is fighting for a medal. That, mainly, is due to their own mistakes. The Americans made big roster mistakes, like leaving forward Bobby Ryan and defender Keith Yandle off the final roster in favor of guys like Blake Wheeler and Brooks Orpik.
The team boosts a larger lineup in terms of size, and isn’t nearly as skilled as teams like Canada, Russia, or Sweden. The US is in a tough pool as well, and will have to deal with the host country and up-and-coming Slovakia. It’s not exactly the best recipe for success for this team.
The Forwards:
The USA does have some real skill on this roster. Patrick Kane is one of the best wingers in the game today, while Phil Kessel is one of the best pure goal-scorers out there. Zach Parise has elite skill, while centers Ryan Kesler and Joe Pavelski are both proven NHL producers. Paul Stastny is also a very skilled player, while youngster Derek Stepan can put the puck in the net.
The USA has much more of a grit factor than other teams. David Backes, James Van Riemsdyk, Max Pacioretty and Blake Wheeler all have decent offensive ability and can play the body and cause havoc. Not many other teams in the tournament have that mix up front, big boys that frustrate you and put up points, it’s a good mix.
The team features some good glue players too, like Dustin Brown, TJ Oshie and Ryan Callahan, all guys who are very good at what they do. Players like that should help the US on the PK, and help them be a tough team to play against.
There isn’t a Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, or even Henrik Zetterberg on this US roster, but there is a very mixed group here, that has both size and skill. Will that translate to the bigger ice? I’m not 100% sure on that, but it’s not a terrible game plan.
This group isn’t without controversy however. Personally, I’d have left Blake Wheeler and TJ Oshie at home and have taken Bobby Ryan and Kyle Okposo, two players with more scoring to their games.
The Defenders:
Ryan Suter is one of the best defenders in the NHL, and will be the big minute muncher for the group. He’ll be the guy going against Crosby, Ovechkin, Zetterberg, Hossa, Kopitar and the other studs. Kevin Shattenkirk is a very good young puck-mover, as is Cam Fowler. Both will provide offense from the blue-line, and will help move the puck on the big ice.
Ryan McDonagh is one of the better young defenders in hockey today, and is a very strong candidate to be the two behind Suter. John Carlson and Justin Faulk have both become reliable NHL defenders with puck-moving ability, and both will be counted on to help provide that in Sochi.
Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik round this group out, with Orpik providing a tough, stay-at-home game, and Martin providing a more well-rounded style.
Personally, I would have left both Martin and Orpik off and taken Keith Yandle and Dustin Byfuglien, as both handle big minutes and are proven defenders.
The Goalies:
Ryan Miller nearly stole Gold back in Vancouver, and is a very good choice to start. He’s played at an elite level in Buffalo (sporting a solid .921 SV%), and is looking determined to start in Sochi. Jonathan Quick was sensational in 2012 for the Kings in their Cup run, but has been battling injury ever since, while Jimmy Howard has been up and down with the Red Wings.
They got the goalies right here, and I would assume Miller gets the starting job. He’s proven he can handle the Olympic spot light, and has played sensational all season for the Sabres. Quick is the obvious choice for back-up, while Howard is far and away the three.
Projected Lines:
Zach Parise – Ryan Kesler – Patrick Kane
James Van Riemsdyk – Joe Pavelski – Phil Kessel
Dustin Brown – David Backes – Ryan Callahan
Max Pacioretty – Paul Stastny – T.J. Oshie
(Extras: Blake Wheeler, Derek Stepan)
Ryan Suter – Kevin Shattenkirk
Ryan McDonagh – John Carlson
Paul Martin – Justin Faulk
(Extras: Cam Fowler, Brooks Orpik)
Ryan Miller
Jon Quick
Jimmy Howard
The Outlook:
As an American, it pains me to say that this team is not as talented or as good on paper as Canada, Russia or Sweden. That means this group won’t medal. Now, we all thought the same thing back in Vancouver, and the team came away with the silver medal, and nearly stole gold.
The USA is in a tough group, as they’ll have to battle both Slovakia and Russia. Slovenia is a team well behind the other three, and should be a win. That means that the US will have to beat either Russia or Slovakia to advance, and I’d bet it happens. I’ll say a win over Slovakia, who is missing Gaborik and Visnovsky, is more likely.
Unfortunately, I see a step back for this team, and have them finishing on the outside looking in on medal terms. It absolutely pains me to say it, but I can’t see them getting it done. The combination of not having enough skill and leaving off arguably two of their best players (Ryan and Yandle) will be too much to overcome.
I have the States finishing fourth overall, losing in the Bronze medal game to Russia, while I have Sweden winning the gold over Canada.
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