It’s value declaring, nevertheless, that this United States staff is much from the ragtag group of younger school gamers that got here collectively to shock the world in 1980. Team USA is taking part in with a full roster of NHL gamers, as is Canada. Between the 2 powerhouse squads, they’ve 25 Stanley Cup wins and 53 particular person NHL awards, the ultimate is actually a matchup of the 2 greatest groups on the earth.
“It is the tightest hockey you will find, probably ever,” Matthew Tkachuk stated. “It will be a great game. It is two of the best teams probably ever, and it will be one hell of a game.”
This will solely be the third time that the U.S. and Canada have met in an Olympic gold medal recreation through which NHL gamers participated, and the Canadians received each earlier situations in 2002 and 2010. The rivalry between the 2 North American nations seems extra intense than ever, with each declaring a gold-or-bust mentality forward of the Games.
“The rivalry with Canada is obviously a long battle and a long history,” Nelson stated. “(These are) two countries that want to come out on top, have the bragging rights that they’re the best country in the world.”
The final time the rivals met on the ice was on the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, when Canada topped the U.S. within the championship recreation, due to a dagger in extra time by Connor McDavid. The loss continues to be uncooked for Team USA, who believes that is the perfect staff they’ve ever put forth.
“We’re one shot away (from gold), however the line between successful and dropping is so positive in tournaments like this,” Jack Eichel stated.
The U.S squad is led in factors by playmaker Quinn Hughes (7), six of that are assists. Captain Auston Matthews is tied with Jack Hughes, Eichel and Matthew Tkachuk with six factors. Brady Tkachuk, Tage Thompson, Matthews and Jack Hughes have every chipped in three objectives through the match. The number of scorers for the United States showcases the depth of expertise this staff has.
Aside from the 11 factors the Tkachuks have delivered to the Olympics, additionally they carry the final word X issue. The brothers possess the flexibility to concurrently get beneath their opponent’s pores and skin and ignite a hearth beneath their teammates. Brady and Matthew despatched a message within the first matchup with Canada at 4 Nations, and each ended up within the penalty field for instigating separate fights inside the first three seconds of the sport.
“They make things interesting,” their father and four-time Olympian Keith Tkachuck said in September. “You never know what you’re going to get from them. They both made it to the NHL on their skill and their character, but they bring other intangibles that you need to a team when things aren’t going well.”
The U.S. staff is backed up by three-time Vezina Trophy winner (awarded to the perfect goalie) and Hart Trophy winner (NHL MVP) Connor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets goalie has solely allowed 5 objectives within the match and leads all goalies with a 94.74 save share.
“I got so much trust for the guys around me,” Hellebuyck stated after defeating Sweden. “I can really focus on one guy and then lock on the pucks, and they let me see everything, if I can see it, I can stop it, so they make my job so easy.”
