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Russia passing through seems like a good option considering everything. It's hard to have an attitude about a team based only on their results in the groups because there are teams that are nowhere near as good as these two. You could say these two spent maybe half their energy to get to the quarterfinal. Nobody was perfect, but this is where the real tournament begins. The Russians stayed in Ostrava, the Swedes switched Ostrava for Prague and only did two practices on this ice, which is definitely a handicap. On the other hand, the Russians are stronger and more experienced in general. Many hockey lovers, me first of all, would be thrilled if the Swedes played with the best they've got here, but that's not the case, and this team are nowhere near to what the Swedes could skate out with. The Sedin brothers aren't here, Karlsson as one of the best backs, Lundqvist as the best goalie, so this team depend on the defenseman Ekman-Larsson too much. The Russians are the current world champions, and are playing here with a lineup similar to the one last year. Sure, Ovechkin isn't here, but there's Tarasenko, and he's had a great season with 70+ points in the NHL, there's Malkin who's also had a great season at 70 points, the great goalie Bobrovsky, the whole series of players from the SKA, lead by the great Kovalchuk, and the strength the Russians have is just bigger than what the Swedes have, and it's more than enough for the Russians to pass through with. These teams faced each other in the semifinal last year, and Russia celebrated. They're lead by Oleg Znarok, one of the best hockey coaches in the world, and after two friendly matches against Sweden before the tournament, with the class and experience his team have, I don't think he can be stopped here.