Hockey’s greatest rivalry will take center stage Sunday. Canada and the U.S. will fight for gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic Games. The Post’s Mollie Walker weighs the matchup:
Goaltending
Jordan Binnington is a different player when he’s wearing the Maple Leaf, but Connor Hellebuyck is one of the top goalies in the world right now.
The advantage sways in the Americans’ favor in this category, especially after the way this Olympic tournament has unfolded thus far. Hellebuyck is leading all 12 nations in save percentage and goals-against average going into the gold medal game. He has simply been at the top of his game. By no means has Binnington played poorly, but the chances of the Blues netminder allowing a fluky goal have felt more likely than Hellebuyck.
Edge: USA
Defense
There are multiple factors at play that make this defensive matchup so intriguing.
Canada will not be at full strength, with Josh Morrissey already ruled out for the gold medal game after suffering an upper-body injury during his first period of the tournament.
Between his absence and the multifaceted impact Quinn Hughes has had on the USA blue line, the matchup is looking like it’ll swing in the USA’s favorite.
Canada’s top duo of Cale Makar and Devon Toews — partners for the Avalanche — have a sort of comfort and chemistry with one another that is rare in this type of tournament. But Charlie McAvoy has provided a steadfast presence with some physical flare to the U.S. back end, while Zach Werenski is capable of breaking the game open offensively.
Edge: USA
Forwards
When you know Canada has a Nathan MacKinnon-Connor McDavid-Macklin Celebrini line in its arsenal, it’s impossible not to award it the forward advantage. Plus, Celebrini has been a revelation as the youngest player in the tournament.
With Sidney Crosby, who is questionable to play due to injury, the Canadians have the deepest. Mitch Marner, for crying out loud, is skating on the third line. USA’s top line of Brady and Matthew Tkachuk flanking Jack Eichel has been effective since it was concocted at the 4 Nations Face-Off, but there is a bit of a dropoff to the second unit comparatively speaking to Canada.
Jake Guentzel hasn’t had the best tournament, but Auston Matthews has done his thing leading by example.
Edge: Canada
Special Teams
Canada’s best power play and the United States’ top penalty kill will square off for supremacy.
Each team has carefully constructed each of their units, with the U.S. in particular choosing its roster with role players in mind.
J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck have anchored USA’s PK, and MacKinnon has scored three power-play goals.
Edge: Even
Coaching
Listening to Canada’s Jon Cooper and USA’s Mike Sullivan discuss this monumental moment, what it’s done for the sport of hockey and what it’s meant to them has been a privilege.
These two veteran coaches are widely considered to be two of the best at what they do. They’ve both done it for so long, and with more success than others can even dream of.
Their philosophies and approaches have seemed to be different, but the outcomes have been the same.
Edge: Even
Prediction
It feels like Team USA’s year. So much of this tournament has been about proving how far hockey in the states has come, and it’s apparent that they are right there with Canada.
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