3 keys: United States vs. Canada, 4 nations facing

Here are 3 keys to the game:

1. identity checks

The Canadians played more a Sweden skill game led by Crosby. That plays more of his identity.

The Americans played more than one type of physical game and hitting Finland, directed by Brady and Matthew Tkachuk. That style plays more in your identity.

But Canada knows that it will be a heavier game against the United States, which is probably that Sam Bennett is entering the alignment, replacing Travis Konecny, to focus a line that will also feature Brad Marchand and Seth Jarvis.

That line could be an answer to the brothers Tkachuk and Jack Eichel. Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, Bennett’s teammate with the Florida Panthers, were transferred to Eichel’s wings in the second period against Finland and dominated.

Brady and Matthew had two goals, combining for three in the third period. Eichel had two assists.

“It will be interesting if Sam and Matthew are in a corner,” said Canada’s coach Jon Cooper.

2. Portero

Canada stays with Jordan Binnington, who made 23 salvages in the victory against Sweden. However, he resigned from two goals in 10 shots in the third period, allowing Swedes to return 3-1 down to force extra time.

It will probably have to be better than it was against Sweden for Canada to defeat the United States.

The United States, as expected, stays with Connor Hellebuyck, who gave a goal to Henri Jokiharju in the second shot that faced 7:31 in the first period against Finland, but stopped the next 19 shooting in the 6-1 victory 6-1 .

Hellebuyck will certainly be tested more by Canada than Finland.

3. Find the balance between physical and discipline

The only thing that Americans know that they cannot do, especially at the beginning of the game, is to allow their physicalness to overcome them, putting the Canadians in the power game.

They want to play with their identity, which means to be fast and aggressive, but Sweden discovered for what a power game can do to Canada at the beginning of the game.

He took 12 seconds for a power play that presents Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nathan Mackinnon, Sam Reinhart and Cale Makar to hit. McDavid to Crosby to Mackinnon and to the bottom of the network.

“It’s a controlled aggression,” Mcavoy said. “You don’t just want to run and put yourself out of position. When there is there, it’s there, and you’ll know when to take it. We want to play hard. As a body of ‘D’, we want to play physical and hard and try to limit time and space both As we can.

“It’s like playoff hockey. That is probably the best I can compare it when you are only trying to tow that line in a fundamental game in the playoffs. You know you can’t cross it, take a penalty and put your team in a difficult place.