Team USA is taking on Team Canada in the gold medal game of the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament.
The United States advanced to the gold medal game with a blowout win over Slovakia in the semifinals. The gold medal game is set to take place on Sunday, February 22, at 8:10 a.m. ET.
Here is everything you need to know about the line combinations and starting goalie for Team USA.
Team USA Line Combinations
The United States has used almost the same lines the entire tournament. The only change head coach Mike Sullivan has made is inserting Clayton Keller in the lineup for Kyle Connor.
However, Tage Thompson left the semifinal game due to an injury, but it is precuationary and he’s likely to play in the gold medal game.
Team USA forward lines:
- B. Tkachuk – Eichel – M. Tkachuk
- Guentzel – Matthews – Boldy
- Keller – Larkin – Thompson
- J. Hughes – Nelson – Miller
- Trocheck
“Just some outrageous star power on both sides,” said Matthew Tkachuk about the gold medal game. “But it seems like when you put all these great players on one ice sheet together, it’s the defense that is probably the thing that’s most noticeable, and the tight checking. … It’s as tight of hockey as you’re going to find in the world maybe ever, so it’s going to be a great game.”
These teams faced off in the finals of the 4 Nation Faceoff last February, and Canada won in OT, so Team USA is looking for revenge.
Team USA defense lines:
- Q. Hughes – McAvoy
- Slavin – Faber
- Sanderson – Werenski
- Hanifin
The United States blue line has remained the same throughout the entire tournament, and that will continue in the gold medal game. Quinn Hughes, who didn’t play in the 4 Nations due to an injury, will be an X-Factor for Team USA.
“The excitement is through the roof for this group,” McAvoy said. “It was good today to come out here and sweat and get the blood flowing, just stay active, stay moving. Everybody is just ready to go. We’re so jacked up in there, it’s a chance to make a dream come true.”
Jackson LaCombe will remain the scratch on defense as he didn’t dress for any games in the Olympics.
Team USA Starting Goalie
The United States will remain with Connor Hellebuyck as its starting goalie.
Hellebucyk has been dominant in the Olympics, and if Team USA is going to win the gold medal, he will likely be a key part of it.
Hellebuyck is 4-0-0 with a 1.23 GAA and a .947 SV% in the Olympics.
Jake Oettinger will be the backup, with Jeremy Swayman scratched.
USA vs. Canada Odds, Start Time & How to Watch
The gold medal game in the men’s Olympic ice hockey tournament will likely be a close one.
Entering the game, oddsmakers have Canada as a -120 favorite while Team USA is a +100 underdog. The over/under is at 5.5 goals, with the under juiced to -155.
Puck drop for the gold medal game is set for 8:10 a.m. ET. The game in the United States is on NBC. In Canada, the game is on CBC.
Team USA Line Combinations & Starting Goalie Revealed for Gold Medal Game