Sweden and Team Europe meet in their final pre-tournament contest Wednesday at the Verizon Center. Sweden enters the game 1-1, having split their two contests with Finland, including a 6-3 win Saturday in Sweden. Europe is looking for their first victory, having dropped both games so far, including a 7-4 loss to Team North America on Sunday.

For the Swedes, Patrik Berglund, who is replacing an ill Rickard Rakell, is expected to be in the lineup tonight. He skated on the right side of a line with Gabriel Landeskog and Carl Soderberg on Tuesday. The two top lines for Tre Kroner should once again be Eriksson-Sedin-Sedin and Forsberg-Backstrom-Hornqvisy. The likely remaining trio is Hagelin-M Backlund-Silfverberg.

Saturday, Sweden dressed 11 forwards due to Rakell's absence and went with seven defenseman. For Wednesay's gam, Sweden should dress the same six who played Saturday. That probably results in pairings of Karlsson-Hjarlmarsson, Ekholm-Ekman-Larsson and Hedman-Stralman. The odd man then and seventh defenseman is Hampus Lindholm. If Sweden goes with 11 forwards, then either Berglund or Backlund (likely) sit.

Coach Rikard Gronberg announced yesterday that Henrik Lundqvist will start and play the whole game. This isn't a surprise as Lundqvist missed the first pre-tourney game with a rib injury, so having him play the whole game and hopefully get into a groove will be beneficial. If Sweden is to advance to the next round once the formal tourney starts, Lundqvist and the defense will need to lead the way, requiring each to be at the top of their games.

Join the Discussion: » 39 Comments » Post New Comment

» Sweden Faces Team Europe For Right to Play Canada in World Cup Finals

» Sweden Falls 4-3 in OT to Team North America, But on to Semi-Finals

» Sweden, Led by Lundqvist Shutout and Stralman Goal, Beats Finland 2-0

» Sweden-Finland, Lundqvist Back Between the Pipes

» Sweden, Behind Solid Defense and Markstrom, Defeats Russia 2-1