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The U.S. men's hockey team will clinch the Group C title at the Winter Olympics if it defeats Germany on Sunday, Feb. 15.
The Germans can also clinch the title on a tiebreaker if they beat the Americans in regulation.
Winning the title is important because the three group winners and the best second-place team earn a bye to the quarterfinals, meaning one less game played and another day of rest.
Canada has won Group A and Slovakia has won Group B. The USA is 2-0 after beating Latvia and Denmark. Germany is 1-1. Considering that 2-1 Finland has a goal differential of plus-11, the USA (currently plus-7) would drop to the qualifying round if it loses in regulation and finishes 2-1.
Who will win Sunday's USA-Germany showdown? USA TODAY Network staffers offer their predictions:
USA 6, Germany 3: Germany has top-end talent that can put up goals, but the all-NHL USA is deeper and showed in its first two games that it can overcome adversity. The Americans will do so again.
USA 7, Germany 2: Slow starts have been a problem for Team USA so far in these Games, so you’d think entering its third contest it will make starting on time a point of emphasis. I expect the Americans to come out flying as they fight to get that quarterfinal bye and Germany just doesn’t have enough talent to keep up.
USA 5, Germany 1: The Americans shouldn't have any problems handling the Germans, who, while they won, were outplayed by the Danes in their first game and lost to Latvia in their second game. It's the most talented Group C team the U.S. faces, what with Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle and Moritz Seider, but the U.S. will ride to victory having much more NHL depth.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA-Germany predictions: Picks for men's hockey clash at Olympics
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The Germans can also clinch the title on a tiebreaker if they beat the Americans in regulation.
Winning the title is important because the three group winners and the best second-place team earn a bye to the quarterfinals, meaning one less game played and another day of rest.
Canada has won Group A and Slovakia has won Group B. The USA is 2-0 after beating Latvia and Denmark. Germany is 1-1. Considering that 2-1 Finland has a goal differential of plus-11, the USA (currently plus-7) would drop to the qualifying round if it loses in regulation and finishes 2-1.
Who will win Sunday's USA-Germany showdown? USA TODAY Network staffers offer their predictions:
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY
USA 6, Germany 3: Germany has top-end talent that can put up goals, but the all-NHL USA is deeper and showed in its first two games that it can overcome adversity. The Americans will do so again.
Jace Evans, USA TODAY
USA 7, Germany 2: Slow starts have been a problem for Team USA so far in these Games, so you’d think entering its third contest it will make starting on time a point of emphasis. I expect the Americans to come out flying as they fight to get that quarterfinal bye and Germany just doesn’t have enough talent to keep up.
Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press
USA 5, Germany 1: The Americans shouldn't have any problems handling the Germans, who, while they won, were outplayed by the Danes in their first game and lost to Latvia in their second game. It's the most talented Group C team the U.S. faces, what with Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle and Moritz Seider, but the U.S. will ride to victory having much more NHL depth.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA-Germany predictions: Picks for men's hockey clash at Olympics
Continue reading...
