"USA vs. Canada isn't only hockey's greatest rivalry, but one of the most competitive and nastiest in all of sports. It's a rivalry that permeates down into the world junior level and bubbles up to the NHL like lava. Please recall the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, where the first meeting between the nations started with three fights in nine seconds and the second meeting ended with a dramatic overtime win for Canada to claim the championship."
"The next battle could come at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Americans and Canadians are in different groups, but as the reigning hockey superpowers in the tournament it's not too farfetched that the path to gold will run through that rivalry. Canada has had the better of the Olympics matchups since the NHL started sending its players in 1998, holding a 4-1 series lead. That includes two wins in gold medal games, in 2002 and 2010."
"As 4 Nations showed, the gap between these teams has closed. The Americans' talent pool has deepened with elite skill players and especially goaltending. Selecting the right roster for the 2026 could be the difference between a medal ceremony or elimination. In the spirit of this storied rivalry, we had a Canadian -- ESPN writer Rachel Kryshak -- select her ideal Team Canada roster, and get roasted by an American, ESPN senior writer Greg Wyshynski."
USA vs. Canada represents one of the most competitive and nastiest rivalries in sports, extending from the world junior level to the NHL. The 4 Nations Face-Off featured three fights in nine seconds and a dramatic overtime win for Canada, underscoring the intensity. The 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy could renew the rivalry despite different group placements, and Canada holds a 4-1 lead in Olympic matchups since NHL players participated, including 2002 and 2010 gold medals. The competitive gap has narrowed as the U.S. talent pool deepened, notably in goaltending. Careful roster selection for 2026 could determine medal outcomes, with veteran availability and roster construction looming as decisive factors.
Read at ESPN.com
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