With a win over Canada on Thursday night, Team USA would take home the 4 Nations Face-Off trophy and assert itself as the team to beat heading into the 2026 Olympics. The Americans already have one win over their rivals to the north, but making it two in a row will be a tall task.

In order for the Americans to slay hockey’s biggest powerhouse twice in as many games, a handful of key players will have to be at their best. Canada is a team filled to the brim with elite talent and national pride. Sidney Crosby has been in this position countless times throughout his career, and players like Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid aren’t exactly strangers to success.

Key Players for Team USA

• Auston Matthews | C Matthews has been battling an injury and registered just one point in the tournament. However, his scoring touch makes him an extremely valuable weapon.

• Matthew Tkachuk | LW A tenacious forechecker, Tkachuk can disrupt Canada’s plays and make crucial scoring chances.

• Dylan Larkin | C Larkin scored the game-winning goal against Canada on Saturday and has created dangerous scoring chances.

• Jaccob Slavin | D Slavin’s gap control and position make him invaluable when defending against MacKinnon and McDavid.

• Zach Werenski | D Werenski is tied for the most points in the tournament and excels at facilitating offense from the back end.

• Connor Hellebuyck | G A two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck is critical for his ability to stop high-danger shots.

As the championship game approaches, Team USA’s success against Canada will heavily depend on these players stepping up.