Underdogs No More: Finland’s Toughness Could Shock the World

If Finland embraces their gritty, defensive identity, they can shock the world.

‍Finland often thrives in the underdog role, and this tournament is no different. With Aleksander Barkov, Mikko Rantanen, and Sebastian Aho leading the offense, they have skilled forwards who can take advantage of mistakes. Their biggest asset, however, is their defensive discipline and goaltending, with Juuse Saros expected to steal games. If Finland can keep games low-scoring, capitalize on counterattacks, and win the battle on special teams, they have a realistic path to a surprise victory.

Finnish Flash or Finnish Crash?

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Too much weight on too few stars could sink Suomi

Facing the tournament with several injuries and a less formidable defense, Finland's path is the steepest. Their reliance on top forwards like Aleksander Barkov and Mikko Rantanen means that if these players are effectively defended, Finland's offensive output could be severely limited. Combined with defensive lapses, this scenario could lead to early exits.

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