Everyone in the Pool! Preview#2

Today we're looking at the second pool. Make the jump

Today, Pool A. The teams include:
#2 Seed Russia
#5 Seed Czech Republic
#8 Seed Slovakia
#11 Seed Latvia


Analysis:
Russia is the real powerhouse in this pool. However, after their first two lines, the depth falls off dramatically. Still, they have too much talent at forward, defense, and especially goal to just choke out. If they get lazy, though, I could see them let a game slip to the Czech or Slovakia team

The Czechs are probably a bit more talented than a 5th seed suggests. Almost every member of the team has some experience in the NHL or at least the KHL. Of course, this is the team that has faced the most pre-olympic adversity, as they have some of they better players dealing with or just coming off of injury. Most notable, their captain, Patrik Elias, the team's captain.

Slovakia isn't a scrub by any means, but at the same time, they aren't really a contender either. They have middling skill, but a significant lack of experience down the roster. In all likelyhood, without a few tricks up their sleeve, they're on the road to a non-medal finish.

And of course...there's Latvia. They have a little NHL talent, but it just seems unbelieveable that they will make have any success this year.

Time for some predictions
Mr Mystic won't return my calls (I think he's unhappy about being cut out before), but I will render my predictions for you right now.

-Russia is poised, with a little luck to make it to Gold Medal Game. They have the arguably the most offensively skilled top line in the tournament, and I would be shocked if they don't find a way to earn a medal.
-The Czech Republic is probably going to finish somewhere just outside of the medals. They've got the talent, but I really think that the injuries are going to have some effect on this team's success.
-The Slovaks have a few things working against them. They're better than bad, and they've had some level of success in the past. This means that no one will be blindsided by them and not see them coming. They'll have a hard time finishing better than their eighth seed.
-Latvia might steal a win or two, but they just won't do any better than 9th. I can't see any scenario where they do.