It might seem like a daunting task for the Americans to defeat the Canadians in men's hockey. I mean, you see nothing but superstars in Canada, ranging from the oldies like Sidney Crosby to newbies like Macklin Celebrini. On top of that, you also have names like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.
While one name is a game-time decision for Sunday's big matchup, that doesn't mean that things are suddenly getting easier. You still have the hockey embodiment of the Monstars, having an endless amount of talent at every position. Therefore, it'll be a tall task for the Americans to overcome (even if they're great at everything).
But fear not, dear patriotic hockey fans! There is a pathway to beating those pesky poutine eaters once and for all! No, it doesn't involve going down to New Orleans and hiring a witch doctor to place a hex on Celebrini. It doesn't involve giving McDavid a new pair of socks, either.
Instead, it involves not making errors in a specific area. That means minimizing mistakes and ensuring you're not turning the puck over. But the strategy goes beyond merely keeping the puck safe for the United States.
The United States must play a defensively sound game against the Canadians
Now, what does this mean? How can the United States foil the stellar forward group that plays for the Canadians? Well, there are some ways that the good ol' U.S. of A. can defeat their Northern neighbors.
For starters, closing the gaps will be vital for the United States. This was a problem that the Swiss had in the opening round, leaving them prone to countless rushes. Even Finland had trouble and was bailed out by Juuse Saros for most of the game. With that, the United States can't let Canada effortlessly enter the offensive zone, especially with young players like Macklin Celebrini.
On top of that, you want to use your veteran experience to deter Canada from taking the inside. With talented players like McDavid and Celebrini able to storm into the slot, that could create endless pressure on the American goaltending.
Even with big names like Connor Hellebuyck in net, all the offensive firepower could overwhelm America. That's what happened to the Czech Republic and in the later periods for Finland.
Jack Eichel and Noah Hanifin must use their two-way abilities to stymie the Canadians
For Golden Knights fans, the focus will be on the two American representatives. Jack Eichel (six points) and Noah Hanifin (three points) have had great showings for the United States, pushing them to the gold medal game.
Obviously, fans know what they're getting with the superstar center. He has an unstoppable two-way game and a high hockey IQ, making him an incredibly tough matchup. However, Hanifin must also use that two-way sense to its fullest ability. That means taking up space and deterring Canada from going inside.
If all of this happens for the United States, they can shock the world. I know, it seems shocking and all with the Americans being so great and everything (that's why the American women won a gold medal in hockey, you know). However, the Canadians can't be denied in this sense, either. That's especially true since they're boasting superstars across the board.