In what’s already been one of the best IIHF World Championships ever, it’s only fitting that the tournament final features one of hockey’s all-time greatest rivalries.
It’s Canada vs. Russia in Prague on Sunday in the gold medal game.
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Here’s a preview of what to expect heading into Sunday’s final.
Tale of the tape
Canada
Record (W, OTW, L, OTL): 9-0
Leading scorers: Jason Spezza (6 goals, 14 points), Taylor Hall (7 goals, 12 points)
Goaltenders: Mike Smith (.931 save percentage, 1.57 goals-against average)
Special teams: power play (34.4per cent), penalty kill (95 per cent)
Russia
Record: 6-1-1-1
Leading scorers: Sergei Mozyakin (6 goals, 11 points), Yevgeni Dadonov (4 goals, 11 points)
Goaltenders: Sergei Bobrovsky (.919 save percentage, 1.87 goals-against average)
Special teams: power play (33.3 per cent), penalty kill (83.3 per cent)
Superstar power
If you’re looking for a classic spring battle between manufactured nemeses Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin then the World Championship has you covered.
Crosby was somewhat of a surprise addition to Team Canada upon his Pittsburgh Penguins’ departure from the Stanley Cup Playoffs after the first round. He’s chipped in with three goals and nine points in eight games and provided the Canadian squad with his usual total-ice dominance style of play.
Ovechkin was a late addition to Russia…like really late.
The Great 8 joined Russia for its semi-final game vs. the Americans and contributed a goal and an assist en route to a victory.
Canada boasts a roster of stars that includes Jordan Eberle, Claude Giroux, Hall, Nathan MacKinnon, Tyler Seguin, and Jason Spezza.
Russia’s lineup is dominated by KHL stars, including Ilya Kovalchuk, but St. Louis Blues sniper Vladimir Tarasenko and Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin also joined the squad following post-season disappointment across the pond.
Key matchups
Will the real Mike Smith please stand up?
It was a difficult season for Smith with the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL. Smith was the league leader in losses (42) and goals-against (187) and ofter appeared to be off his game in what was his worst professional season.
The Team Canada version of Smith has been lights-out since a few early tournament hiccups. With the likes of Malkin, Ovechkin and Tarasenko primed to pump pucks his way, Smith’s greatest challenge this spring awaits.
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Can Russia’s penalty kill fend off the potent Canadian attack?
Russia ranks near the bottom of tournament with its paltry penalty kill. That could spell trouble versus a Canadian team that has capitalized on the man-advantage through its first nine games.
If there’s a silver-lining to Russia’s 83.3 per cent rate on the kill, it’s that they’ve been one of the most disciplined teams in the tournament with just 30 two-minute minor infractions.
What’s in a win?
Russia will play for back-to-back World Championship titles. A victory on Sunday would also mark the fifth time in the past 10 years that Russia has won the tournament.
You know Vladimir Putin, he of eight goals in one game, would love add another title to his tenure as Russian President.
A win in the gold medal game for Canada would mark the first time since 2007 that they’ve managed to win it all at the Worlds.
The gold medal game is set for 2:45 p.m. ET, with Canada representing the home team.