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Avalanche at the Olympics: Necas driving the bus for Czechia; United States to face Sweden

The playoff portion of the tournament has come and gone with no upsets on the men’s hockey side of things, setting up a great slate of quarterfinal games for Wednesday.

No matter what happens in the quarterfinals, at least two Avalanche players will see their dream for Olympic gold come to an end.

Germany defeats France 5-1

Switzerland defeats Italy 3-0

Czechia defeats Denmark 3-2

As it has been for most of the tournament, Martin Necas drove the bus for Czechia, blasting home a one-timer to give his team the lead in the second period, then helping set up another goal just a few minutes later. Necas leads the team with seven points heading into the quarterfinals and has been Czechia’s best player.

Sweden defeats Latvia 5-1

Although it came in the first period, Colorado Avalanche Gabriel Landeskog will get credit for the game-winning goal, as he showed some impressive coordination, kicking a bouncing puck to his stick before whacking it into the Latvia net. Landeskog added an assist later, and Sweden cruised to the quarterfinals.

Wednesday’s quarterfinal matchups

Slovakia vs. Germany, 4:10 a.m. (Peacock)

No matter what happens, one of these teams will find themselves playing for a medal, which no one would have predicted a few weeks ago. Germany has the star power up front, but Slovakia has made life difficult for its opponents.

Canada vs. Czechia, 8:40 a.m. (USA Network/Peacock)

A rematch of the first game for each of these teams, which Canada took with ease. Avalanche Nathan MacKinnon is expected to dress and be ready for this game, but he missed practice Tuesday with what Jon Cooper called a “maintenance day.” MacKinnon took a high hit in the third period of their previous game and also appeared to be flexing his leg toward the end of the match.

Finland vs. Switzerland:, 10:10 a.m. (Peacock)

Finland’s slow start to the tournament may have worked out in its favor, as it’s found itself in a nice little bracket. Switzerland will be without Kevin Fiala and didn’t exactly pull away from Italy, a team that the Finns demolished 11-0 just a few days ago.

United States vs. Sweden, 1:10 p.m. (Peacock/NBC/USA)

In the marquee matchup of the day, the pressure will be on the United States to take down a Sweden team that has historically given them trouble. In the last eight matchups at the Olympics, the United States has yet to walk away with a win. They will be favorites, but Sweden has the talent to take them down.

American Brock Nelson should be good to play, but he was seen wearing a bubble at practice Tuesday.


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