This is, after all, a team that has only played two games together, a team that has not had the chance to refine its game and become what it believes it ultimately can.
But Monday is also another chance to play for one’s country, something all of these players have been waiting so long to do.
“The emotional impact might not be there, but at the same time, you’ve got 20 guys wearing a USA sweater who are proud to put that jersey on and want to go out there and do the best that they can,” defenseman Jaccob Slavin said. “We’re all competitive, we all want to win, so it doesn’t matter who’s on the other side necessarily, but I think once you go out there and if you start taking it easy, that’s when mistakes happen, that’s when injuries might happen. So, you go out there and you play your game.”
It’s possible the U.S. might make some changes to its lineup, with forward Matthew Tkachuk’s status up in the air — coach Mike Sullivan said he was still being evaluated on Sunday — and the potential for a change in goal.
Mostly, though, the team still needs to get to know each other on the ice, still needs to work out any kinks or miscommunications or hiccups that might be there.
