The biggest Olympic hockey showdown in years is just hours away, as Team USA faces Canada on Sunday with a chance to win their first gold medal since the legendary "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.
But beating Canada won’t be easy.
The Canadians have dominated Olympic hockey when NHL players are involved, winning gold in three of the last five Games, including back-to-back victories in 2010 and 2014. They’ve also grabbed titles at last year’s 4 Nations Face-off and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
And this year’s Canadian roster might be their most talented yet.
Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar – arguably the three best players in this tournament – all wear the maple leaf. Add in teenage phenom Macklin Celebrini and the possible return of Sidney Crosby, and Team Canada’s star power is off the charts.
The Americans have their own concerns to worry about. Scoring goals in big games has always been their Achilles’ heel, and some are questioning the decision to leave snipers like Jason Robertson, Cole Caufield, and Alex DeBrincat off the roster.
So far, those missing scorers haven’t been a problem. But Canada’s defense is a whole different animal.
There’s also the experience factor. While both teams have cruised through the tournament, Canada has faced tougher tests, including come-from-behind wins against Czechia and Finland. The U.S. had an easier group stage and caught a break when Slovakia upset their semifinal opponent.
Perhaps most worrying for Team USA is Canada’s power play. It’s been unstoppable throughout the tournament.
The Americans have killed penalties brilliantly so far, but they haven’t faced anything like this Canadian unit. With their physical style of play, staying out of the penalty box will be crucial – just ask Finland, who learned that lesson the hard way in Friday’s semifinal.
Can the U.S. finally prove they can beat Canada when it matters most? We’ll find out Sunday.
