Olympic Hockey Preview: Sweden vs Switzerland

Winning each of their first games of the tournament, Sweden and Switzerland will face off to determine who takes a strangle-hold in Group C.

SWEDEN VS SWITZERLAND

7:30  AM EST

TV:  TSN

Here is how the teams match up:

Jonas Hiller was perfect making 21 saves for Switzerland as they defeated Latvia 1-0. PHOTO CREDIT: USA Today Sports Images

GOALTENDING:  Henrik Lundqvist allowed 2 goals to the Czech Republic in a span of 2 minutes in the middle of the game, otherwise he was perfect in making 27 saves on 29 shots.   He will be staring down the ice at Jonas Hiller, who was perfect in making 21 saves in a game where the first goal won.

EDGE:  CALL THIS ONE A DRAW

DEFENSE:  Erik Karlsson was the star of game 1 for the Swedes, with 2 goals to lead the way.  They are a solid unit that will continue to excel.  The Swiss are not without NHL talent, led by Mark Streit, Raphael Diaz and Yannick Weber, but man for man they don’t have the top end talent of the Swedes.

EDGE:  SWEDEN

Daniel Alfredsson plays a key role in Sweden’s 4-2 win over the Czech Republic PHOTO CREDIT USA Today Sports

FORWARDS:  Even without Henrik Sedin and with Henrik Zetterberg hurting, the Swedes are a powerful offense with quick strike ability.  Throw in the defensive awareness, experience and overall skill, they are among the top groups in the tournament top to bottom.  The same cannot be said of the Swiss, who lack dominant offensive talent.  Sweden needs to avoid letting Nino Niederreiter and Damien Brunner beat them and they should be fine.

EDGE: SWEDEN
This will come down to how well Hiller plays for Switzerland.  He can steal a game and probably will at some point in this tournament, but the Swiss are in tough.

PREDICTION:  Sweden simply has too much power for the Swiss to handle.  Sweden 5-1.