What Finland vs. Switzerland means for Nashville Predators locker room

Team Finland and Team Switzerland will battle it out at noon today in the Winter Olympic quarterfinals. For Nashville Predators fans, it's a game of ages. Erik Haula and Juuse Saros will face up against their captain back in Smashville Roman Josi. The three have put up pretty good numbers for their respective squads and are looking to produce even more in this win or go home matchup.

With the Predators finishing in an awkward spot before the Olympic break, the team will have to reconnect in the coming weeks and regain lost chemistry. Considering these specific three will need to bypass their teams to advance, tensions might arise between them. Even though the pressure is real, it isn't a real threat; here's why.

The Olympics will force Nashville against each other, but only for one game

Picture this, Saros sits in the crease on the penalty kill as he's surrounded by multiple Swiss players. The puck is redirected to the blueline and a tall defender winds up the puck. Instead of it being the average defenseman, this is none other than Josi. It's different when the guy taking shots on you is the one you practice against. It's a double-edged sword: you'll feel confident knowing that you've seen these moves before, but also know that he has the magic to do anything he wants to with his skill and still find the net.

Same scenario, different position. Haula takes a faceoff and swings it behind him and towards the boards. He goes to snag it to set up a play when all of a sudden, Josi comes skating in his direction and pins him to the boards. Haula's played shifts with Josi and has seen the defensive game he plays. Normally you'd feel safe to have a guy like Josi on the ice, but when you're playing against him, you feel nothing but fear.

Let's switch the tables. You're Josi and you got to face one of the best goalies in the league and a top faceoff taker. Considering there are only a handful of NHL players on your team, there isn't much preparation and knowledge on what these guys are capable of. Josi has the second highest point total among defenseman in the Olympics this year, just one behind Rasmus Dahlin with five.

It's going to be different for them, but it'll be a learning experience and it'll help them understand each of their skill sets in more detail.

Predators will prioritize professionalism in order to keep locker room chemistry

The main idea of the Olympics is to bring people together based on national pride and personal skill. In terms of NHL players (and Nashville) it's the same thing. Sure, competing against each other knowing that your whole country is watching you might be stressful, but that doesn't stop the chemistry already built in your NHL locker room.

If Josi were to score a goal on Saros, that would be used as practice material. The goal does mean more, but it isn't any different than when he gets scored on the same way in practice or at warmups. If Haula lost a puck battle to Josi, that's something to learn and move on from. Saros saves a slapshot, good practice for the captain. There's tension, but not enough to disrupt team chemistry back home.

There isn't much that needs to be said about that. Olympic pressure doesn't tear apart what's already there in former locker rooms; it only makes the chemistry stronger.

The Nashville Predators could experience a noticeable culture shift in the locker room once the Olympics are all said and done. With Josi captaining a whole nation and Saros, Haula, and even Filip Forsberg carrying a team on their backs, lots of lessons will be taught to those who couldn't make it.

Strong Olympic performances can boost the confidence of the Olympians. Saros has been in a bit of a slump to begin this season. So far in Italy, he's played out of his mind, carrying a .946 SV% and 1.34 GAA. Stats like these could provide a much-needed boost in confidence to carry back to the NHL.

With the other three demonstrating their skill as well, Josi (2g, 2a), Haula (3a), and Forsberg (1g, 1a), we could see a wave of positivity return in the locker room. Today's match will decide which group of Predators (and former ones) will stay and which will go home.