Canada scratches Giroux, Holtby, Muzzin for semifinal

Canada's going with the lineup from its first two World Cup games against the Russians in Saturday's semifinal.

Forward Claude Giroux, defenseman Jake Muzzin, and goaltender Braden Holtby will be watching from the press box, head coach Mike Babcock confirmed, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Giroux and Muzzin played Wednesday in Canada's 4-1 win over Europe. Giroux played 15:50, finishing with one shot, three hits, two takeaways, and a 57 percent success rate on faceoffs. Muzzin played 17:42 and registered a hit and two blocked shots.

Holtby has watched the entire tournament.

You can't argue with the results, as Canada's 3-0 with a tournament-best plus-11 goal differential. And Babcock likes continuity:

Mike Babcock on building a predictable team: "I don't like surprises; not on Christmas, not on my birthday. I don't want one tomorrow."

- Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 23, 2016

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