The Winter Olympics presents a special treat for hockey fans, because while the NHL takes a break, we get to enjoy an All-Star tournament featuring a relatively wide open competition for the gold medal. Yes, Canada is the favorite heading in, but Russia, America and Sweden also have a shot, and Finland could very well throw any of those four off track by springing an upset.
For Nashville Predators fans, here’s your guide to when the teams of particular interest will be playing. After these opening round games, the playoff rounds take place on Tuesday & Wednesday February 18-19, with the semifinals on Thursday February 20th and the gold medal game on Saturday, February 22nd.
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Team USA
Led by general manager David Poile, the Americans hope to follow up 2010’s silver medal finish with another trip to the podium.
| Date/Time (CT) | Game & Channel |
| Thursday Feb 13, 6:30 a.m. | vs Slovakia, NBCSN |
| Saturday Feb 15, 6:30 a.m. | vs Russia, NBCSN |
| Sunday Feb 16, 6:30 a.m. | vs Slovenia, NBCSN |
Canada
Shea Weber will serve as alternate captain for the Maple Syrup Gang, which comes into this tournament as the defending gold medalists. Even though this doesn’t count as NHL action, one can’t help but think that a strong showing by Weber could bolster his Norris Trophy aspirations.
| Date/Time (CT) | Game & Channel |
| Thursday Feb 13, 11:00 a.m. | vs Norway, USA |
| Friday Feb 14, 11:00 a.m. | vs Austria, USA |
| Sunday Feb 16, 11:00 a.m. | vs Finland, USA |
Switzerland
Roman Josi and Simon Moser will suit up for the Swiss, who may not be favored to medal, but are looking to make an impact nonetheless. Josi & Moser certainly appear confident in the photo below…
| Date/Time (CT) | Game & Channel |
| Wednesday Feb 12, 11:00 a.m. | vs Latvia, MSNBC |
| Friday Feb 14, 6:30 a.m. | vs Sweden, NBCSN |
| Saturday Feb 15, 11:00 a.m. | vs Czech Republic, NBCSN |
Taking off in a couple minutes #sochi #shortflight keep it down @21_Moser pic.twitter.com/IzFthaZCO8
— Roman Josi (@rjosi90) February 9, 2014
Russia
No, there aren’t any current Nashville Predators on the Russian roster, but we’ll all be keeping one eye open to see what Alexander Radulov does, right?
| Date/Time (CT) | Game & Channel |
| Thursday Feb 13, 6:30 a.m. | vs Slovenia, MSNBC |
| Saturday Feb 15, 6:30 a.m. | vs USA, NBCSN |
| Sunday Feb 16, 6:30 a.m. | vs Slovakia, USA |
So tune in and follow along with your favorite teams as they chase the gold medal. Who do you think will win?
Which team will win the Gold Medal?
| Canada | 153 |
| Finland | 5 |
| Russia | 51 |
| Sweden | 32 |
| USA | 212 |
| other | 13 |