And here we are, one year and two days later.
It’s the gold medal game that the IOC, NBC, hockey fans and casual sports viewers everywhere hoped for after USA and Canada jousted last year in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off.
The Americans had defeated Canada in pool play before Connor McDavid sailed a puck over Connor Hellebuyck’s shoulder in overtime to clinch the final, 3-2.
The game averaged $9.3 million viewers in the U.S., making it the highest-viewed NHL broadcast in history, and now comes the rematch.
Oddsmakers say this game has been Canada’s to lose since they arrived in Milan, opening as +115 tournament favorites and now priced at -125 over the United States at DraftKings.
Whether you’ve watched every minute of this tournament or merely overheard colleagues chatting at the water cooler, you know the Canadians are a special assembly of players unlike the sport has seen.
They trailed Czechia with under eight minutes to go in the quarterfinal — the first time Canada had trailed in an Olympic game with NHL players since the preliminaries in 2010.
But Nick Suzuki’s tip-in goal set up Mitch Marner’s dazzling overtime winner.
Then came Finland, who, despite being outshot 36-15, led Canada, 2-0, into the third period, a frame in which they were outshot by 11 and gave up three unanswered scores to Sam Reinhart, Shea Theodore and Nathan MacKinnon.
Defending Canada within 60 minutes is akin to plugging holes in a sinking ship. The depth is cashing in, and so are the linchpins. Connor McDavid leads the Olympics with 13 points, with the boy wonder Macklin Celebrini good for a second-most 10 points.
If you take a penalty, they commence for a barrage of high-danger looks, converting on 7-of-13 advantages, the highest overall efficiency.
The United States’ only scare came in their 2-1 overtime thriller against Sweden in the quarterfinal. Sweden weathered the Americans despite underwhelming pool play, but was ultimately outmatched in physicality.
That’s where I’m placing stock in Sunday’s tilt.
Pound for pound in offensive potency, you’ll lean toward Canada.
However, even with Tom Wilson, Canada lacks the sandpaper that the Americans bring. There’s a reason Matthew Tkachuk has won back-to-back Stanley Cups, and paired with his brother Brady, the two form a menacing force that can disrupt any team while simultaneously generating offense.
The Americans have brought a defense-first identity to Italy with several quiet starts in this tournament. Their penalty kill remains perfect on 15 disadvantages.
It’s the balance, though, that has made them a sum greater than their parts.
Betting on the NHL?
Quinn Hughes and his 23:05 ice time average have produced a team-leading seven points as he’s been the Games’ most influential power play quarterback, but right behind him are both Tkachuk brothers, Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel tied with six.
Last year, the Americans outhit and outblocked Canada in the 4 Nations final when the game could have been a coin toss.
This game should be no different.
For as dangerous as this Canada team is, I’m going to agree with 88 percent of DraftKings bettors and take the plus-money price on the Americans.
Canada has allowed their opponent to fly under the radar in back-to-back games, and that pattern is concerning against a club that was handcrafted to beat them.
THE PLAY: United States (+105, DraftKings)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post. He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.