2021 Worlds Quarterfinal Preview: Switzerland vs Russia

Don’t let their records from the group stage fool you, Team Switzerland and Team Russia are more than capable of playing better hockey than what we have seen thus far in Calgary. Both teams are missing elite forwards due to injury and both have something to prove after being dominated by Canada, Finland, and the U.S. in the group stage.

Looking at the big picture, Russia’s goaltending hasn’t failed them — even though they’ve swapped goaltenders in multiple games. Their real problem has been losing the puck possession battle against elite teams. Fortunately for Russia, Switzerland does not fall into that category, which means the Russians — or the Russian Olympic Committee, sorry —  shouldn’t have to rely on its power play to get into the next round.