I figured i'd make a hockey-only thread, as i predict many of us will post about it...so it will be easier to keep it out of the other thread.
My predictions:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Czech Republic
Bronze: Sweden
Russia has enough talent to medal, but their entire program is in such dissaray right now (and has been for years) that i just don't see them getting it together and medaling...but if they somehow do, a silver or bronze is easily obtainable.
I don't expect the US to medal. The roster is full of nice players, but the talent isn't of the same caliber of some of the other teams. I don't like the US goalies, though Dipietro does have the ability to be a pretty good backstop. If he catches fire, the US could do some damage. But i wouldn' tbe surprised if goaltending ends up being their downfall. The US is going to have to win games by outworking some of the other teams. I think there's no doubt they'll play with a ton of passion, and we'll see how far that will take them.
Games start wednesday morning. Every single game is televised live, many of them on MSNBC.
Also i just heard Marco Sturm is out for Germany, which hurts much of their chance of being a tough opponent.
Anyway, can't wait to enjoy these games.