If you're an Olympic hockey fan, this is the matchup you've been waiting for: Team Canada versus Team USA, battling it out for the gold medal and four years' worth of bragging rights.
While Canada enters as the favorite, there's a whisper of hope for the Americans to clinch their first tournament win since 1980, back when NHL players weren't part of the mix.
We caught up with former Flyer goaltender Brian Boucher, now an ice-level analyst in Milano Cortina, Italy, to get his insights on how Team USA might pull off an upset.
The challenge? Shutting down Canada’s formidable top line featuring Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini. This trio has been a force throughout the tournament, even without Sidney Crosby, who’s been sidelined recently.
“They look like the best team, especially their forward group,” Boucher shared. “Their depth and synchronization set them apart in this tournament.”
So, how does Team USA counter this powerhouse?
“The key is matching up against Canada’s top line,” Boucher explained. “If they dominate, as they have at times, you need a strategy.”
Boucher, who played in the 2010 Stanley Cup Final, suggests a straightforward approach.
“You have to fight fire with fire,” he said. “Eichel and the Tkachuk brothers need to challenge that line.
Force them to defend. If not, be relentless.
No time or space. Get under MacKinnon’s skin; he can get frustrated.
That’s where the Tkachuks come in. It’s about unsettling him.”
Boucher also speculated on Canada’s possible response, mentioning the potential pairing of Tom Wilson with McDavid to counter the Tkachuks.
Defenseman Travis Sanheim was pivotal in Canada’s recent win over Finland, assisting on a crucial goal that tied the game.
“With Morrissey’s injury, Sanheim stepped up,” Boucher noted. “In this tournament, roles shift from the NHL. Sanheim’s embraced his depth role, but the challenges will intensify as we approach the final.”
Boucher, who broadcasts Flyers games with Jim Jackson, is enjoying his first Olympics stint with Kenny Albert and Ed “Edzo” Olczyk.
“It’s my first time with the top team, and it’s been fantastic,” he said. “Working with Kenny and Edzo is a joy, especially covering American games, which brings an extra thrill.”
Boucher’s experience as a goalie provides a unique perspective at ice level.
“My role is to offer insights from the ice,” he explained. “I gauge the game’s temperature and share what’s happening between the benches.
My goalie background helps me provide a distinct viewpoint, something Edzo values. It’s a great balance.”