The World Cup of Hockey final is the definition of a powerhouse versus an underdog.
Team Europe advanced to the tournament’s best-of-three final following a stunning 3-2 overtime win on Sunday afternoon against Sweden. No one expected the Europeans to make it past the preliminary round.
Standing in their way of an improbable trophy victory is the talent-filled Canadians, who have star NHL players at every position. Canada has only trailed for less than two minutes throughout the entire tournament, going 4-0-0 in the process.
A big third period led the Canadians to a semifinal win over Russia. They also beat Europe 4-1 in round robin play.
Here’s what you need to know prior to puckdrop Tuesday night.
NEED TO KNOW: TEAM CANADA
• It’s the eighth final for Team Canada at a World Cup of Hockey/Canada Cup with wins in 1976, 1984, 1987, 1991 and 2004.
• Jonathan Toews scored twice – including the winner – in the round-robin win over Europe. Toews has a record of 45-1-1 with Team Canada since 2006.
• The Canadians haven’t lost in a best-on-best game since the preliminary round of the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
• Carey Price leads all goaltenders who have played more than one game at the tournament with a .948 save percentage and 1.67 goals-against average.
• The Canadians have outscored opponents by a combined 19-6 spread over four games and only trailed the U.S. for 89 seconds and Russia for 76 seconds.
NEED TO KNOW: TEAM EUROPE
• The team is comprised of players from eight countries and is makings its debut in a World Cup of Hockey final.
• Coach Ralph Krueger was a member of Canada’s staff at the 2014 Sochi Olympics where the Canadians won gold. Krueger is said to be well-versed in the rhythms and philosophies of Mike Babcock and Canada.
• Europe’s Jaroslav Halak and Canada’s Carey Price have combined for 80 per cent of the Montreal Canadiens’ regular-season wins over the past eight NHL seasons.
• Europe’s top line of Anze Kopitar, Marian Hossa and Tomas Tatar have combined for seven points throughout the first four games.
• Tatar, who scored twice including the overtime winner in the semifinals against Sweden, has just one overtime goal in 280 career NHL games (regular season and playoffs), for the Detroit Red Wings.
Here are your World Cup stat leaders heading into the final:
Goals: Sidney Crosby (CAN), Brad Marchand (CAN) and Jonathan Toews (CAN), 3
Assists: Sidney Crosby (CAN), Marc-Edouard Vlasic (CAN) and Shayne Gostisbehere (NAT), 3
Points: Sidney Crosby (CAN), 7
Game-Winning Goals: Vladimir Tarasenko (RUS), 2
Plus-Minus: Sidney Crosby (CAN), +7
Shots on Goal: Patrice Bergeron (CAN), 20
More pregame reads:
Europe’s underdogs status against Canada is an understatement
Team Europe’s experience the key to surprise World Cup run
Generational Sidney Crosby leading Team Canada in its prime
Jonathan Toews continues to be Canada’s super utility player