U.S. looks to build on ‘best that we’ve played’ heading into Olympic final

The power play delivered late in the first period, Thompson scoring on a bullet of a one-timer from low in the left circle off a pass from Jack Eichel just 17 seconds into the man-advantage.

If Canada is going to give the U.S. a chance on the power play, that type of quick puck movement leading to even quicker shots will be key.

“We’re obviously better than we were the first game,” defenseman Quinn Hughes said. “It’s a bunch of great, elite players playing together and the more you play together the more you’re going to be able to read off each other and understand the system we want to play, where guys like pucks and whatnot.”

Jack Hughes scored two goals in the second period around one from Eichel, showcasing his skill and shot, and his evolution on this team from fourth-line right wing against Latvia to a massive contributor on a line with Thompson and Larkin.

“He’s a terrific player, mentally tough,” Quinn Hughes said of his younger brother. “He goes out there and makes a big-time play. It’s a testament to where his mentality is at at 24 years old. He’s one of the best players in the world and you’re seeing it right now live.”

It was 5-0 after 40 minutes and the U.S. was doubling up Slovakia in shots on goal, 26-13.

The Americans left no doubt because of how they were playing; direct, fast, aggressive but smart.

“We were playing our hockey,” Guentzel said.

They can call it their hockey because it’s a brand they’ve built since arriving here on Feb. 8.

They learned from first-period blunders against Team Denmark in their second game of the preliminary round.

They learned from a tight, fast-paced, low-scoring 2-1 overtime win against Team Sweden in the quarterfinals, when they learned the hard way that they can’t play to protect a 1-0 lead but instead have to continue to play on their toes attacking.

“I feel like our team has improved with every game that it’s played,” Sullivan said. “I think they’ve improved in every aspect of the game. I think there’s a clear understanding of how we’re trying to play. I think there’s more attention to detail in the tactics, in particular away from the puck. I think the players have a better understanding of the roles they’ve been cast in and what their contribution is to try to help us win. I think we’ve improved in all of those aspects and for me that’s just the evolution of the team and that’s part of the journey.”