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Preview: Johansson, Edler sit for Sweden; Gudas and Hanzal out for Czechs

IHOCKEY-WORLD-CAN-SWE

Sweden’s Alexander Edler (C) hits Canada’s Eric Staal (L) during the quarterfinal match Canada vs Sweden at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships on May 16, 2013 in Stockholm. AFP PHOTO/JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

When Sweden plays against the Czech Republic this afternoon, they will do so without the services of Washington Capitals forward Marcus Johansson or Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alex Edler, reports NHL.com writer Dan Rosen.

Johansson is a healthy scratch while Edler has to miss the first two games of the Olympics to complete his suspension for his knee-on-knee hit against Eric Staal during the 2013 World Championships.

Sweden features some imposing lines, including the combination of Daniel Sedin, Nicklas Backstrom, and Loui Eriksson.

The Czechs don’t have a line that looks nearly as good on paper as their top unit is Jaromir Jagr, Tomas Plekanec, and Roman Cervenka.

Meanwhile, Radko Gudas and Phoenix’s Martin Hanzal will be scratched by the Czech Republic. Gudas has been sick and Hanzal might have been kept out of the game for the same reason.

As previously reported, the Czechs will also keep goaltender Ondrej Pavelec out of their lineup. Instead, they’re sending out KHL standout Jakub Kovar to face Sweden. Alexander Salak will serve as his understudy.

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