6 takeaways from Canada-USA thriller: Mayhem in Montreal, Guentzel, Larkin elevate for USA

The most anticipated men’s international contest of the past decade more than lived up to the hype, as Team USA edged Team Canada 3-1 Saturday at the Bell Centre.

In a politically charged arena, there were three fights in the opening nine seconds, reinvigorating a sense of nationalism between both teams, and watch parties across the continent.

Jake Guentzel scored twice, including a game-sealing empty netter, while Dylan Larkin notched the game-winning goal for Team USA, while Connor McDavid scored Canada’s lone goal off the rush, to open the scoring.

WHAT A START 🇨🇦🇺🇸

🎥: Sportsnet | NHL#Canada #USA pic.twitter.com/Sfc28X3oJY

— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) February 16, 2025

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Here are six takeaways from USA’s 3-1 win over Canada

• Matthew Tkachuk and Brandon Hagel dropped the gloves two seconds after the opening faceoff, in one of the most exciting starts to a game we’ve ever encountered, and it only escalated from there onwards. Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett followed up a second later, then J.T. Miller fought Colton Parayko at the nine-second mark. You can point to all the data about why fighting in hockey is corrosive, and we’ll buy into it, but it’s almost impossible to ignore how cool the opening minute of the contest felt, sending the game into a truly feverish pitch. I don’t know if we’ll ever see anything like that again — until a rematch in the final, perhaps. “We had to send a message,” Matthew Tkachuk said post-game, admitting that the Americans created a group chat, with the intention of fighting the Canadian trio at the outset. Message certainly received. It may have amplified the rocking crowd at the Bell Centre, but USA played with physical intent throughout the contest, countering Canada’s speed and skill, and while the quality of hockey was tremendous, this game may be best remembered as Mayhem in Montreal.
• Jake Guentzel was tremendous for Team USA and with two goals on Saturday, he’s the 4 Nations Face-Off scoring leader through two games. Guentzel finished with a game-high five shots, he used his speed well off the wing, and was buzzing throughout the night. Guentzel isn’t the flashiest name in the tournament, but he’s been unstoppable off the rush during the tournament and at this rate, he could be walking away with tournament MVP honours.
• Dylan Larkin also elevated his game and scored the game-winner, bursting through the offensive zone on a 2-on-1 to rip a shot past Jordan Binnington in the second period. Larkin was considered a fourth-line forward for Team USA, but he’s gaining more responsibility as the tournament goes on, and his elite pace was a major asset against Team Canada. He’s becoming impossible to ignore, and he could challenge Guentzel and Matt Boldy for tournament MVP, if Team USA wins it all.
• Speaking of another potential tournament MVP: Connor Hellebuyck was far superior to Jordan Binnington, and it was arguably the difference in the game. Hellebuyck saved 2.36 goals above expected via Natural Stat Trick and was calm and collected as Canada boasted a superior shot and possession share at 5-on-5. Binnington, on the other hand, allowed a weak opening goal to Guentzel, and it’s beginning to underscore a series of questionable decisions by Team Canada’s management group, given the quality of goaltenders left off the roster. Adin Hill could potentially get the start against Team Finland on Monday, while Hellebuyck is firmly in cruise control.
• Jaccob Slavin was outstanding for USA and he’s simply the world’s best defensive defenceman. Slavin and Brock Faber are working extremely well in tandem through the first two games, where the Carolina Hurricanes’ blue liner is calmly breaking up chances and redistributing the puck with fluency. He’s not going to shoot the lights out, but Slavin’s tremendous defensive qualities are paying dividends in the best-on-best format.
• Connor McDavid scored a sensational goal for Team Canada to open the scoring with a beautiful backhand off the rush, wheeling past Charlie McAvoy before beating Hellebuyck. McDavid was arguably Canada’s best forward, with Sam Bennett as a surprise second, but Canada couldn’t generate meaningful offense constantly, even when it controlled the possession share. McAvoy would later respond with a crushing open-ice hit on McDavid. Sam Reinhart and Mitch Marner didn’t do much to support McDavid throughout the evening and it’ll be compelling to see if Jon Cooper switches up his top-six, in order to inject some life into an offence that has scored five goals over six periods.