NHL Best-on-Best Showdown: Power Rankings
The NHL’s first best-on-best showdown since the 2016 World Cup of Hockey is set to kick off Wednesday, with the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden vying for the championship. Here’s a breakdown of each team’s strengths and weaknesses, as ranked by USA TODAY Sports:
1. United States
- Goaltending: With Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman, the U.S. boasts the strongest goaltending corps in the tournament. Hellebuyck is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and leads the NHL in wins and shutouts this season.
- Forwards: The U.S. lineup is packed with high-scoring forwards, including Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Jack Hughes, and Auston Matthews. Matthews has won the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals scored in a season and is a threat to score every time he touches the puck.
- Defense: While Quinn Hughes is unavailable due to injury, the U.S. still has plenty of talent on defense, including Zach Werenski, Adam Fox, and Charlie McAvoy. These players provide both offensive and defensive contributions, making the U.S. a well-rounded team.
2. Canada
- Offense: Canada’s offense is simply unstoppable. With Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Sidney Crosby on the top two lines, they can score from anywhere on the ice. McDavid is a generational talent who has led the NHL in scoring five times, while MacKinnon is a Hart Trophy winner and one of the most dangerous players in the game.
- Chemistry: Canada also has a built-in chemistry advantage, with many players coming from the same teams. Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett are from the Florida Panthers, Cale Makar and Devon Toews are from the Colorado Avalanche, and Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel, and Anthony Cirelli are from the Tampa Bay Lightning. This familiarity will give them an edge in crucial moments.
- Goaltending: Canada’s only weakness is goaltending. Adin Hill, Jordan Binnington, and Sam Montembeault have all had subpar seasons, with save percentages below .900. However, both Hill and Binnington have won Stanley Cups, which could give them the experience and confidence needed to perform in big games.
3. Sweden
- Defense: Sweden’s defense is anchored by Victor Hedman, one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Mattias Ekholm, Rasmus Dahlin, and others provide depth and experience on the blue line. This defensive unit will make it tough for opposing teams to generate scoring chances.
- Forwards: While Sweden lacks the superstar power of Canada or the U.S., they have a solid group of forwards who can put the puck in the net. William Nylander, Lucas Raymond, and Adrian Kempe are all capable of producing offense, while Rickard Rakell adds a physical presence.
- Goaltending: Sweden’s goaltending is a concern. Linus Ullmark, a former Vezina Trophy winner, is returning from injury, while Filip Gustavsson has been inconsistent this season. If Sweden wants to contend for the championship, they will need their goalies to step up.
4. Finland
- Team Defense: Finland is known for its team defense, which is led by two-time Selke Trophy winner Aleksander Barkov. Sebastian Aho also plays a strong two-way game. This team defense will make it difficult for opponents to score goals.
- Forwards: Mikko Rantanen is Finland’s leading scorer, but he has struggled since being traded from Colorado to Carolina. Patrik Laine is also in a scoring slump. Finland needs its top forwards to find their scoring touch if they want to have a chance at winning.
- Defensemen: Finland does not have many NHL-caliber defensemen, and they lost a key one in injured Miro Heiskanen. Rasmus Ristolainen also withdrew, leaving the team with minimal experience on the blue line. The performance of defensemen Nikolas Matinpalo and others will be crucial to Finland’s success.
- Goaltending: Juuse Saros is the top Finnish goalie, but his stats have declined this season. Kevin Lankinen has been solid, but he lacks the experience of Saros. Finland’s goaltending could be a liability.
Predictions
The United States and Canada are clear favorites to reach the championship game. The U.S. has the best goaltending, while Canada has the most firepower. Sweden and Finland are underdogs, but both teams have the potential to surprise.
Ultimately, the NHL Best-on-Best Showdown promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament, with all four teams having a legitimate chance of winning.
