Olympic men’s hockey playoff preview: Czechia vs. Denmark
CZECHIA (1-0-1-1) vs. DENMARK (1-0-0-2): Feb. 17, 10:40 a.m. ET
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Stuck in Group A with Canada, Czechia was always going to have to duel for second place with a dangerous Swiss team. The Czechs were probably better against the mighty Canadians than a 5-0 score showed but found themselves a bit embarrassed after needing a comeback to defeat Team France 6-3. In the critical game against Switzerland, one of the tournament’s best so far, Team Czechia fell in overtime, dooming them to, at best, a rematch with Canada.
Denmark has some talent near the top of its lineup but was always likely to be overmatched against a star-studded German attack, much less the United States. In their lone game with a relatively equal playing field, the Danes opportunistically jumped out to a 3-0 lead over a Latvia outfit desperate for a second group victory before holding on to win by a final score of 4-2.
WHEN THEY LAST MET IN BEST ON BEST…
Well, about that … with Denmark playing in just its second Olympics, these teams have never met at a best-on-best event. They did play in 2022, the Danes’ first tournament, and, though Czechia was among the favorites without NHLers in attendance, Denmark won their Group B matchup 2-1 amid a disappointing event for the Czechs. For what it’s worth, Czechia has smacked around the Nordic newbies by a combined score of 14-6 in their two IIHF World Championship meetings since then.
TOP SCORERS
Czechia
1. Martin Necas, F: 3 GP, 2 G, 3 A, 5 P
T2. Filip Chlapik, F: 3 GP, 2 G, 1 A, 3 P
T2. David Pastrnak, F: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P
T2. Filip Hronek, D: 3 GP, 0 G, 3 A, 3 P
T3. Michal Kempny, D: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 P
T3. Matej Stransky, F: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 P
Denmark
1. Nick Olesen, F: 3 GP, 3 G, 1 A, 4 P
T2. Mikkel Aagaard, F: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P
T2. Nikolaj Ehlers, F: 3 GP, 1 G, 2 A, 3 P
4. Oscar-Fisker Molgaard, F: 3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 P
T5. Nicholas B. Jensen, D: 3 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 P
T5. Phillip Bruggisser, D: 3 GP, 1 G, 0 A, 1 P
CZECHIA
The Czechs, who have a ton of NHL talent and top European players like captain Roman Cervenka near the top of their lineup, will be frustrated that they couldn’t get up to speed during the group stage and contend for an automatic bye. David Pastrnak is on the shortlist of the best European players in the tournament. Though he’s playing well, it’s Colorado Avalanche star Martin Necas who has led the way on offense so far on a line with late addition and surprise standout Filip Chlapik. The Filip Hronek-led defense is thinner than the forward group, but presumed starting goaltender Lukas Dostal is talented enough to keep his team afloat. This is a good opportunity for the rangy shot-stopper to notch his first win of the tournament after some tough puck luck against Switzerland.
DENMARK
The Danish team has little in the way of NHL talent beyond Nikolaj Ehlers, who was noticeable every time he touched the puck in Group C, and Oliver Bjorkstrand, who has struggled to stand out. This is a group that really has to graft for results, and Lars Eller and Oscar Fisker-Molgaard, two centers on opposite ends of their career, have done what they can to drag them into the fight with some help from Nick Olesen, who has shown a knack for popping up with big goals at the international level. A no-name defense corps made up of crusty old shot-blockers hasn’t been able to do much but soak up pressure, so it will take a Herculean effort from 500-game NHL veteran Frederik Andersen in goal to delay Denmark’s flight home.
BURNING QUESTIONS
Czechia: Can Tomas Hertl break through? Given he’s a perennial 25-goal scorer in the NHL who tips the scales at 220 lbs, you’d think Tomas Hertl would be tailor-made for Olympic hockey. So why doesn’t he have any points? Hertl was unlucky to blank on eight shots from the slot in Czechia’s first two times out but picked a bad time to ghost against Switzerland. This is Hertl’s chance for redemption, but it won’t come easy: if there’s one thing the Danish defense can do, it’s get nasty around the net.
Denmark: Does Freddy Andersen still have it? As recently as last season, Andersen was a tough man to beat when he was on. He can’t seem to stay healthy, and puck play was never his strong suit, but the Great Dane is a brick wall when he can get square to the shooter. Or he was, at least. Andersen left for Italy in rough shape amid a career-worst season. He impressively stifled Latvia to close out group play, but Andersen will need to turn back the clock even further to pull off the upset on Tuesday.
PREDICTION
Czechia is a proud hockey nation that is already frustrated with its performance so far, especially after all that moaning about their 4 Nations invitation getting lost in the mail. For the Czechs, this is their last chance to get right with a near-impossible task looming over the horizon. They won’t waste it as the greasy goals finally dry up for Denmark, who will hit the wall after some admirably spirited performances in Group C. Czechia wins 5-0.
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