I have a question about the Russian total...
The top 4 teams from each group qualify for the medal round. Seedings are by record (points) then goal differential within each group.
If the medal round were to start today the seedings would be:
A
1. Finland
2. Switzerland
3. Canada
4. Czech
B
1. Slovakia
2. Russia
3. Sweden
4. US
On Tuesday:
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=504><TBODY><TR><TD width=434 bgColor=silver><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=tex bgColor=#ececec colSpan=2>
6:30 AM EST <!-- (RTSS) --></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
T</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>Italy <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>Switzerland </NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD class=times12 align=middle>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=504><TBODY><TR><TD width=434 bgColor=silver><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=tex bgColor=#ececec colSpan=2>
10:30 AM EST <!-- (RTSS) --></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
T</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>Czech Republic <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>Canada </NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD class=times12 align=middle>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=504><TBODY><TR><TD width=434 bgColor=silver><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=tex bgColor=#ececec colSpan=2>
2:00 PM EST <!-- (RTSS) --></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
T</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>Slovakia <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>Sweden </NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD class=times12 align=middle></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=504><TBODY><TR><TD width=434 bgColor=silver><TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=tex bgColor=#ececec colSpan=2>
2:30 PM EST <!-- (RTSS) --></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
T</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>Russia <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tex width=25 bgColor=#ffffff>
</IMG></TD><TD class=tex bgColor=#ffffff><NOBR>United States </NOBR></TD><TD class=tex align=middle width=20 bgColor=#ececec>
0</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD><TD class=times12 align=middle>
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The only way Russia can be seeded #1 in Group B is if Sweden beats Slovakia. Then it will be a matter of goal differential where Russia has the advantage. Russia - 11, Slovakia - 7, Sweden - 6.
The US is pretty much locked into 4th place unless Lavia defeats Kazakhstan by a bunch.
Russia scored 9 goals against Latvia and 9 goals combined against Slovakia, Sweden and Kazakhstan. Combine that with the US scoring 9 goals in 4 game. Add in that Russia has allowed 7 goals and the US 8 and it all points to a low-scoring affair.
On the flip side, Russia has never forgotten 1980 but I do not think that is a critical factor.
Throw in that there is very little rest allowed in the schedule and there is no motivation on the part of either team to push their star players.