– We know what applies. Three points will be scored if we are to have any chance of advancing. There is nothing in mind now but profit.
Just in time for tonight’s match, Russia – or the Russian Ice Hockey Federation’s team as it is formally called during this year’s World Cup – will also receive two NHL reinforcements from Washington’s Dmitry Orlov and St. Louis Vladimir Tarasenko.
Orlov and Tarasenko have managed a week’s quarantine in the World Cup city of Riga, and are thus ready to play.
Vladimir Tarasenko – a forward of very high class – will be a challenge for the Swedish players.
– We must not give him too much time. It is important to shrink the surfaces around him, and not let him come with so much speed. He has a really good shot, and is very strong on the puck, says Anaheim’s Rickard Rakell who has met Tarasenko several times over the years in the NHL.
– I think that can be a key tonight, Rakell continues.
To Sweden should have the chance to reach the quarterfinals, victory over Russia tonight is a must. In the event of a loss, it is only for the Swedish players to pack up and fly home.
If there is a win, the chance still remains, but since Sweden does not have the fate in their own hands, they must then wait and see how things go in Tuesday’s matches.
Sweden has not missed out on reaching the playoffs since this form of play was introduced in 1992.
– We had a tough start to the tournament, and after the two losing matches have played with the knife to the throat, Rickard Rakell states at a digital press conference after this morning’s match warm-up in the World Cup city of Riga.
At the press conference, Tre Kronor’s national team captain Johan Garpenlöv also said that Mario Kempe, who received a blow in Sunday night’s victory match against Slovakia and therefore did not play in the second and third period, is ready to play for the match against Russia.
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