Jagr Finding Success in the Olympics, Quick to Start Again vs. the Russians

The NHL is on break but many of its players aren’t getting any rest as they are playing in the 2014 Sochi Olympics for their respective countries. Play just started this week and already some familiar names are finding success on their temporary teams.

On Thursday, New Jersey Devils Jaromir Jagr, playing for the Czech Republic, again scored in a 4-2 win over Latvia–the game winner–and prior to that in a 4-2 loss against Sweden on Wednesday. On Saturday, the team will take on Switzerland.

Jaromir Jagr

Will things happen in three for Jagr? One thing that is for sure, Jagr will be playing the game one year older as he will turn 42 on Saturday. He said of his impending birthday via NBC Sports, “I don’t get old, man. I don’t know why.”

When Jagr returns to NHL action for the Devils, he’ll look to become NHL player No. 7 to score 700 goals. This could come in the Feb. 27 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets but it may be a challenge as prior to the break, the veteran had only scored one goal in eight games.

The Devils sit at 50/1 to win the 2014 Stanley Cup.

In addition to Jagr, there are additional NHL players on the Czech team and on Thursday they also scored. This included Marek Zidlicky (Devils) as the leader with one goal and an assist as well as Jakub Voracek (Philadelphia Flyers) and Martin Erat (Washington Capitals) adding one goal each.

Ondrej Pavelec (Winnipeg Jets) is the goalie for the Czech team and while a healthy scratch against Sweden, will return to the ice to play against Switzerland.

Jonathan Quick

Also on Thursday, the U.S. team hit the ice and defeated Slovakia, 7-1. Goalie Jonathan Quick of the Los Angeles Kings got the starting nod and in game No. 2 for the team against Russia on Saturday, he’ll again start in the net, reported NBC Sports.

Quick may be more challenged by Russia’s offense but experience could be on his side as he’s been in the playoffs as a King as well as won a Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy.

U.S. hockey coach Dan Bylsma said of his decision to go with Quick via ESPN.com, “Jonathan will be starting in net tomorrow. He played real well in Game 1. I thought there were periods of inactivity in that game and he had to stay sharp, stay focused and it was followed by two or three big saves he had to make.”

This comes as Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres will watch from the sidelines not utilizing his 2010 Olympic experience where he led the U.S. team to the gold medal game. During that time, Miller amassed a 1.35 GAA and .946 save percentage.

Should Quick falter on Saturday,will we see Miller on Sunday against Slovenia?

Here’s a look at the 2014 Ice Hockey Gold Medal contenders:

Russia 5/2
Canada 7/4
Sweden 5/1
USA 4/1
Czech Republic 16/1
Finland 12/1
Switzerland 28/1
Slovakia 50/1
Norway 200/1
Latvia 750/1
Austria 1000/1
Slovenia 1000/1

And in other league news, after scoring a goal in Wednesday’s win over the Czech Republic, Sweden’s captain/Detroit Red Wings Henrik Zetterberg will is now done for the remainder of the Olympics thanks to a back injury.

Henrik Zetterberg

On Thursday, he missed the team’s practice from a herniated disk, receiving treatment and now is shut down for Sochi. His injury isn’t anything new as he first suffered from it back in December, missing 13 NHL games. After undergoing an exam by Sweden’s team doctor, Bjorn Waldeback, he said Zetterberg’s injury didn’t come from contact in Wednesday’s game against the Czech Republic, reported NHL.com.

Zetterberg’s return to play for the Red Wings is unknown when the team goes back to the ice on Feb. 26 against the Montreal Canadiens.

The Red Wings and the Canadiens both sit at 33/1 to win this year’s Stanley Cup.