7 World Cup storylines to follow
The friendlies are over. The World Cup of Hockey is - finally - upon us.
The tournament begins Saturday. Here are seven storylines to follow:
1. Connor and the kids
A select team featuring the best American and Canadian players aged 23 and under, led by Connor McDavid, the unanimous "Next One," in a best-on-best tournament? Yes, please.
North America was arguably the most exciting team to watch during the exhibition schedule, showcasing its speed and skill and scoring a pre-tournament-best 13 goals in three games (while allowing only seven). Whether the kids hoist the World Cup trophy or not, they're going to put on a show.
There are numerous players to watch. McDavid, obviously, wearing the "C," and because he probably could've made the Canadian squad. Matt Murray's out to prove his spring was no fluke. Ditto Jonathan Drouin. And there's Maple Leafs No. 1 pick Auston Matthews, of course, hitting the ice in Toronto for the first time. No pressure.
2. Price's return
Exhibition games are, well, exhibition games. Now the games count, and the spotlight's going to be on Canada's Carey Price, who will play in a game that matters Saturday for the first time since late November.
Price looked rusty - naturally - in his pre-tournament debut, but looked much stronger Wednesday against Russia, stopping 26 of 28 shots, and feeling "a lot more comfortable overall." A good start in Canada's opener against the Czech Republic will put to bed any doubts he's healthy and ready to keep his country atop the hockey world.
The 29-year-old was otherworldly two years ago at the Sochi Olympics, winning all five of his starts and leaving Russia with a .972 save percentage, two shutouts, and a gold medal. He'll go a long way in determining whether Canada keeps its crown.
3. Russia's revenge
Russia's still hurting over Sochi.
Playing at home, the Russians had to qualify to play in the medal round, and bowed out to Finland in the quarterfinals. Not even close to good enough.
There's so much skill on the roster: Pavel Datsyuk, Nikita Kucherov, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Evgeni Malkin, Alex Ovechkin, Artemi Panarin, and Vladimir Tarasenko. And there's some KHLers, too, as Russia looks to reignite the chemistry between Panarin, Evgeny Dadonov, and Vadim Shipachyov.
Sergei Bobrovsky can win a tournament like this one, and while the defense corps is questionable - and easily the team's biggest weakness - the issue is always the same: Can the Russians put it all together in a two-week tournament?
4. Mission beat Canada
You could see it about two minutes into their first pre-tournament game: The United States really wants to beat Canada, any chance it gets.
Canada took down the U.S. in Vancouver in 2010, in overtime, thanks to Sidney Crosby. In Sochi, Canada defeated the Americans 1-0 in the semifinals, the result so deflating the U.S. it lost the bronze-medal game 5-0.
They're in the same group and will meet Tuesday night, in easily the World Cup's most anticipated game. And hopefully beyond. There's nothing the Americans want more than to beat their neighbors on Canadian soil. And you can't blame them.
5. It's European!
Nobody's talking about Team Europe. And maybe that works in the club's favor.
The Europeans are led by Anze Kopitar and, based on digital ink spilled ahead of the tournament, an afterthought in the competition. The only select team everybody's talking about is North America.
But there's skill throughout the European lineup: Leon Draisaitl, Marian Gaborik, Roman Josi, Tomas Tatar, and Mats Zuccarello. And Zdeno Chara hates losing.
No one's giving Europe a chance, not after its mostly poor showing in the pre-tourney, and especially since the team is in Group A, with Canada and the U.S. But perhaps the group of misfits without an anthem can feed on the disrespect.
6. As good as the King
Sweden goes as far as Henrik Lundqvist takes it. Same as it ever was.
And yet there are whispers about King Henrik's status ahead of the games that matter, after he was torched for six goals on only 36 shots in two pre-tournament games. Only Europe (13) allowed more goals than Sweden's 12 during the exhibition round.
But questioning Lundqvist is a fool's game. He had a .943 save percentage in six games in Sochi, and a .927 in Vancouver. When it's best-on-best, Lundqvist is always up to the task.
Asked if there were any positives from Wednesday's 6-2 beating at the hands of Europe, Lundqvist said it best: "One day closer to Sunday."
Lundqvist will be there for Sweden when it matters. He always is. And a talented Swedish squad still standing when the semifinals begin Sept. 24 should surprise no one.
7. World Cup forever
The World Cup is real - again - and the NHL and NHLPA are hoping it's spectacular.
With NHL participation up in the air ahead of the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, the hockey powers that be want this tournament to showcase the best the sport has to offer - while making a pretty penny off of it.
And what's not to like? A collection of the game's best players - including two select teams, a creative touch - are set to play a high-caliber tournament in September, after a long summer without hockey.
The thing is, no fans complain like hockey fans. They find a reason - or three - to be upset. But if the pre-tournament was any indication, folks are going to come around quickly - if they haven't already - and enjoy this tournament. And they should, because we're in store for great hockey.
The World Cup will likely go down as a success, and that's a good thing, because it isn't going anywhere.