Team Canada left little doubt about sizable Olympic gap — but USA still has time to raise its level

MILAN — The margin between the Americans and Canadians at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament was so minuscule.

That championship game, which teased an ultra-coveted gold medal clash between the two nations, truly could’ve gone either way. So too could’ve the first meeting, but each took one victory over the other through a couple of games that were indicative of just how evenly matched they were.

Even though the United States was runner-up to Canada around this time last year, you could’ve projected one or the other to skate to the top of the podium at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics.

After they both concluded the group stage Sunday, however, there is little doubt which country has shown it is the one to beat for the first Olympic gold with NHL players since 2014.