Gold medal canada
How much talent is on this team? Look at these names: Martin St. Louis, Claude Giroux, James Neal, Joe Thornton, Logan Couture, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Dan Boyle, Brent Seabrook. Now consider that not one of those players made the team. They would be some of the finest players on rosters of other nations but couldn't squeeze their way onto Canada, which as always will have the eyes of a hockey-loving nation praying for a repeat gold. Like the U.S., the big question will be how the Canadians translate onto the bigger ice sheet.
Who to watch: Deeper and more intimidating than any team in the tournament, Canada starts with strength up the middle in Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Toews and Patrice Bergeron. They're so good, Steven Stamkos, John Tavares, Ryan Getzlaf, Jeff Carter and Matt Duchene, some of whom would easily be the best center on other nations' teams, including the U.S., will likely have to move to wing. Canada's wings are big and fast, from Rick Nash to Corey Perry to Jamie Benn. On the back end, they are led by Duncan Keith. Drew Doughty, formidable Blues duo Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester and power-play point men Shea Weber and PK Subban. The big question is in goal. Roberto Luongo and Carey Price will be 1-2 and have been inconsistent, although Luongo took over for Martin Brodeur in 2010 and backstopped the Canadians to gold.
History: After winning gold in six of the first seven Olympics, the Canadians went a span of 50 years before winning in 2002 at Salt Lake City. Then on home ice in 2010 in Vancouver, Crosby scored the "Golden Goal" in overtime after the United States' Zach Parise scored in the final seconds of regulation.
silver medal united states
Dan Bylsma was posed an interesting question at Olympic orientation camp in August. The U.S. coach was asked which player could be this year's Mike Eruzione. Bylsma said it was an unfair question from the aspect that this is a team full of NHLers, but it did get him raving about a leadership corps that includes Zach Parise, Ryan Suter and Spring Lake Park's David Backes and a deep roster built so every night a different hero could step to the forefront.
Who to watch: It starts with goaltending; Bylsma has two tremendous choices in the Kings' Jonathan Quick and the Sabres' Ryan Miller. Up front, the U.S. has some terrific wingers, such as Parise, Patrick Kane and Phil Kessel. Up the middle, Backes and Ryan Kesler are having sensational seasons, and one has to wonder if versatile Joe Pavelski, who can thrive in any role, will play center. The blue line is fast and mobile, and Ryan Suter, Kevin Shattenkirk and Ryan McDonagh should lead the way in terms of ice time. If this team comes together, all the tools are there despite not having the star power of its neighbor from the north.
History: When the Games have been played in North America, the NHLers have medaled, winning silver in 2002 and 2010. The same success hasn't occurred overseas, so the U.S. brass tried to build this team from the back end, with defensemen who can get the puck up to the forwards. The most success the U.S. has ever had came in 1980, when the Americans shocked the world with a miracle gold. They also won gold in Squaw Valley in 1960.
