Men's Olympic Hockey: USA vs. Canada Preview and Analysis

The North American hockey world has been awaiting this game since the groupings were set in late 2008.

This game that will take place between the two countries that share the largest unprotected border on the planet will be nothing less than a war.

The third and final game in Group A of the preliminary round pits the possibly underestimated USA against the pre-tournament favorite Canadians.

The weight that this game carries includes: the winner getting the nod for top spot in group A and a bye into the quarterfinals, while the loser may be going down to fight through a qualification round game.

Going down to play in the qualification round could mean meeting any of a number of dangerous teams.

Russia, Slovakia, Finland or perhaps Switzerland again who both struggled against though beat, anyone could be waiting hungrily.

In a one game knockout anything can happen and has in the past with many upsets.

Only the top four teams get a buy into the quarterfinals and the way this tournament is shaping up goal differential will play a huge role in determining two or three of the four spots.

The USA’s goalie Ryan Miller is a cut and dry lock to be between the pipes.

For Canadian fans the question still hangs up in the air as to who is the right choice in net for them.

Roberto Luongo who shut out Norway in an 8-0 win and faced 15 shots or Martin Brodeur who faced 23 shots allowing two to slip past him while playing Canada’s nemesis from 2006, Switzerland.

The fans have no say and though many may be calling for “Lou” the choice has been made by the Canadian coaching staff to start Brodeur.

Both defense cores have bruising elements within them though most would argue Canada’s would be the more physical overall.

Again, both teams have excellent puck moving defensemen that can jump into the rush and are very mobile.

The forward groups for these teams are built differently.

The USA’s forwards are group of youthful speed-oriented talented pesky players that won’t shy away from a physical game but are mostly inexperienced internationally. 

Canada on the other hand has a big bruising, highly-skilled group that initiate contact while controlling the game on the boards and have deep pockets full of international experience.

These players know each other all too well as some are on the same teams or have played numerous games against each other in the NHL.

Both head coaches USA’s Ron Wilson and Canada’s Mike Babcock will be mixing and matching lines to change momentum and getting specific matchups will be huge.

But as Mick Jagger sang “You can’t always get what you want.” So when they can’t get the matchups they want, what should each team focus on to get the win?

Keys to success for the USA

Between the pipes: Ryan Miller should just keep being Ryan Miller. Do as he’s done all year for the Buffalo Sabres and so far for team USA in this tournament.

He must continue to make timely saves with solid positional play while trusting the team around him and controlling his rebounds.

Miller may be called upon to be spectacular at points and he has shown that he can do just that.

On the backend: Brooks Orpik and Ryan Suter will have to be physical with the Canadian forwards in front of the net so Miller can see the shots from the point as Canada has a number of guys that can really fire the puck from there.

Those two will also have to battle with Canada’s big physical forwards on the boards which will be quite a task and will need help from their forwards.

Jack Johnson and Brian Rafalski should continue to look for the speedy forwards on the go while trying to catch Canada flat-footed with stretch passes through neutral zone.

All the defensemen have to make good first passes or just get the puck out of their zone.

Not allowing Canada to establish a cycle as they have proven to be dangerous when being able to control the play in this fashion would also be a benefit.

The forwards: will have to use their speed though the neutral zone and try to get to the outside on the Canadian defense and then drive the net.

It will be difficult to score from the perimeter without a big body in front of the net.

Though the USA lacks a number of them, Ryan Malone (6’4” 224 lbs) and Bobby Ryan (6’2” 218) can do battle in that tough area and will have to continue lighting the lamp.

Phil Kessel, Zach Parise, Patrick Kane and Paul Stastny will have to be on top of their game and the US will rely heavily on them for the bulk of the offense and they have to produce.

Chris Drury who saw limited ice time strangely in the first game against the Swiss but came through with a goal against the Norwegians may be an X-factor.

Jamie Langenbrunner, David Backes, Dustin Brown and Joe Pavelski will have to bring their games up to the next level.

The USA as a group will have to raise the level of their game while staying focused and limiting their mistakes if they want to be successful against Canada.

Keys to success for Canada

Between the pipes: Martin Brodeur will have to be better than he was in the game against the Swiss, though he can only be faulted on one of the goals, he looked shaky at points.

He is considered by many as one of, if not, the best goalies ever to strap on the pads and will have to back that up in this game as the US will be firing everything including the kitchen sink at him.

On the backend: Chris Pronger, Shea Weber, Dan Boyle and Duncan Keith will have to put the body on the smaller American forwards as much as they can to limit their speed and wear them down.

They should try and stand up the opposing forwards trying to enter the zone with speed and rely on their forwards to help out in the defensive zone.

They will have to clear the front of the net and allow Brodeur a clear sight at shots that will be coming from all angles.

Drew Doughty will have to limit his mistakes and turnovers as that hurt Canada against the Swiss, but still play his slick elusive offensive-minded game that got him here.

The forwards: Starting with the big line for Canada of Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau who will have to continue to score and lead as they have done through the first two games.

Their size could be a problem if Babcock can get out against some of the smaller lines but they will draw the top defensemen pairing from Wilson the majority of the time.

Sidney Crosby no matter who he lines up with including Rick Nash, Jerome Iginla or Patrice Bergeron must start to shoot. He has trigger men around him but he has been in prime shooting areas and has been passing it off.

The third and fourth lines will have to bring energy but stay out of the penalty box.

Canada overall has to get pucks deep and limit the turnover in the neutral zone that a speedy American team can turn around quickly. When the puck is deep they have to get the cycle going while not getting caught down low.

Getting pucks to the net and winning the battles in front with aggressive positional play will pay dividends against this US team and put them into the quarters with a win.

Neither team wants to go down and play in the relegation round and will fight tooth and nail to escape that peril.

Prediction

Martin Brodeur makes this his statement game and some added scoring will come from Jonathan Toews who is getting comfortable and will have a breakout game.

Phil Kessel and Patrick Kane will shine for the States who will also get another solid game from Miller.

In the end Canada will be too much for the States as they will roll four big lines and punish them physically in a close game.

Canada 4 USA 3

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