I’m making a thread to discuss both games today: -13:00 EST / 10:00 PST ― CAN vs. FIN -20:00 EST / 17:00 PST ― USA vs. SWE

Team Canada news: Cale Makar is playing, Binnington gets the start.

If the first game ends in regulation, the winner will advance to the final against USA. In case it goes to overtime, the door will be open for Sweden to advance with a regulation win.

UPDATE: Matthew Tkachuk (lower body) will not play tonight, Chris Kreider will dress instead. Charlie McAvoy will also not play (I think? The article just says he will be replaced by Jake Sanderson, nothing else). Oettinger will start for USA; SWE goalie still tba.

UPDATE 2: As per Elliote Friedman just now, Mattias Ekholm and Viktor Arvidsson are out for team Sweden (rip oilers), Leo Carlsson and Rasmus Andersson are in. Linus Ullmark is expected to start.

UPDATE 3:

Results of early game

CAN 5 - 3 SWE

★ Nathan Mackinnon (2G) ★★ Connor McDavid (1G, 1A) ★★★ Mikael Granlund (2G)

Finland roared back from a 4-0 deficit with seven minutes remaining in the game, causing a spike in heart rate across Canada when they made it a 4-3 game in the final minute. Sidney Crosby released the tension with an empty-net goal a few seconds later, punching Canada’s ticket to the final on Thursday. The USA vs. SWE game later today is officially for pride only.

UPDATE 4: It turns out Elliotte Friedman was wrong, because I’m sitting here watching Ekholm and Arvidsson clearly playing. Rakell and Zibanejad are the actual scratches. Brady Tkachuk has also gone down with an injury. That’s rough for team USA.

FINAL UPDATE:

Late game results

USA 1 - 2 SWE

★ Jesper Bratt (1G) ★★ Samuel Ersson (.969 SV%) ★★★ Zach Werenski (1A)

Team USA battled hard despite a bite from the injury bug (missing Matthews, McAvoy, both Tkachuks), but ultimately fell short of the win. Sweden was able to hold on to a narrow lead thanks in large part to a stellar goaltending performance from Samuel Ersson.

Thanks for hanging out everyone, it’s been fun. Someone else will have to post the game thread on Thursday, as I’m going to be busy until at least the 2nd period. I’m looking forward to joining the discussion later on when I get the chance.

Until next time, take 'er easy, buds!