2022 Olympics: Breaking down USA's 4-2 win over Canada; NHL Prospect evals

Strauss Mann stops 35, captain Andy Miele pots two points

For the first time since Ryan Kesler scored on a diving empty-net goal to quiet a boisterous Vancouver crowd in one of the greatest preliminary-round games in Olympics history, the United States has a win over Canada at the Winter Games. The U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team improved to 2-0-0-0 and into sole possession of first place in Group A at the 2022 Olympics by earning a hard-fought 4-2 win over Canada.

The win was just the fourth over Canada in 19 meetings and the first since that 5-3 victory in 2010. Canada had won 12 of the previous 18 with three ties in there. It may not be a best-on-best tournament, but it’s still a hockey tournament and when Canada and the U.S. are on the ice, it’s going to be a battle.

Team USA @TeamUSA

AND THAT'S GAME! 🇺🇸 #WinterOlympics

I thought it was a really well-played hockey game between two teams that were very tight in terms of talent and ability. The Americans were +180 underdogs coming into this game, too. So this is a meaningful victory for the youngest team at these Olympics.

It was also meaningful in that the U.S. is now in the driver’s seat to win Group A and earn a bye to the quarterfinals. That takes one game off your schedule and means you have to play three elimination games to get a medal instead of four. All the U.S. needs to do now is get a point against Germany and they win the group.

I provided a recap of the game over at Daily Faceoff, so I won’t rehash that here and instead get right into the analysis of the game with some key takeaways from the game, the key stats and I’ll have notes on every NHL prospect who played in the game. Let’s get to it.

Jake Sanderson News Update 1:43 p.m. CT: According to multiple sources and confirmed by my colleague at Daily Faceoff, Frank Seravalli, defenseman Jake Sanderson sustained an injury during the game that he managed to play through. He was on the ice for the final shift of the game, protecting the lead with Canada’s goaltender pulled. Word began to spread a little bit this morning that Sanderson’s injury may be more serious and could cost him time at the tournament. Some fear his tournament may be over, but he has not been ruled out by Team USA yet according to Seravalli.

It appears that Sanderson, who was playing in his first game of the tournament after clearing COVID-19 protocols in Los Angeles, was injured during the second period. With about 10:19 remaining in the period, Sanderson was engaged in a board battle for a loose puck. Sanderson was bent over digging for the puck when Canada forward Jack McBain delivered a hard check against the boards. You can see Sanderson react briefly, but continue his shift. Sanderson played 12 more shifts in the game as the U.S. clinched the victory. He looked no worse for the wear over the course of the game.

According to sources, Sanderson will continue to be evaluated. My sense (this is not confirmed) is that Sanderson will likely be listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury. He will remain in Beijing with Team USA and they’ll hope he may be up to playing.

With Sanderson potentially out again after being in COVID protocol, the U.S. will be able to dress Drew Helleson, who sat out the Canada game as a healthy scratch. Additionally, Justin Abdelkader remains in Beijing as a reserve player and can be used as needed.

First-period response key to game