Switzerland, coming off their 1-0 win over Latvia on Wednesday, meets Sweden, 4-2 winners over the Czech Republic, on Friday (7:30 am Eastern time) in Sochi. While the Swiss avoided defeat via a late goal by Simon Moser, the Swedes ran out to a 4-0 lead and were never really challenged in their victory. With the Czechs facing Latvia a few hours before the Swiss-Sweden contest, each team will know before the game starts if a victory will all but lock up Group C.
For the Swiss, their burden is to try and generate offense against a better overall squad in Sweden. While they created chances Wednesday, nearly every foray forward was met by a brick wall in Edgars Masalskis, who stoned them until 7.9 seconds remained. Switzerland's best line was the one headed by Damien Brunner, who was buzzing throughout but unable to solve Masalskis. Of course, each game takes on its own identity, while it is Henrik Lundqvist in the opposing goal, there is no guarantee that Hank will stand on his head as Masalskis did, though its not a stretch to expect it.
Sweden entered the tournament a depleted squad, as injuries kept Henrik Sedin and Joahn Franzen home. It did not get any better Thursday with the news that Henrik Zetterberg, who was one of their best players against the Czechs, sat out practice. Additional word came out later that Zetterberg is once again suffering significant discomfort from the herniated disc; a setback from the problems that previously forced him out of action for the Red Wings for 11 games in December and two in January. Preliminary word is that this injury could force to miss the entire Olympics, which could be a major blow to Sweden's goal-medal chances.
Patrik Berglund skated in Zetterberg's place at practice on a line with Alexander Steen and Gabriel Landeskog. With Zetterberg not expected to play, look for Marcus Johansson, who replaced Henrik Sedin on the Sweden roster and was a healthy scratch Wednesday, to see ice time. In addition, there will need to be a further reshuffling of the lines with Johansson in, Berglund up and Jakob Silfverberg only seeing 2:34 of playing time Wednesday.
Of course, even without Zetterberg, Sedin, Franzen and Victor Hedman, who didn't make Tre Kroner, the Swedes have to be considered a major favorite over Switzerland. That said, the blue and yellow better bring their A-game, especially with Jonas Hiller on his, to beat the Swiss.