Team USA is officially in the driver’s seat at the 4 Nations Face-Off. But before breaking down what’s given America the early advantage in the tournament, let’s talk about the event itself.

It has been absolutely incredible. Full stop. You must give credit to the players, who have put considerable effort into winning, treating each round-robin matchup like a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Combine effort —always the lead indicator as to whether you’re going to watch a compelling sporting event versus a glorified training event — with overwhelming skill and parity across the four countries, and you have the recipe for a brilliantly captivating sporting event.

I never want to see another NHL All-Star Game again. And I don’t mind if the interval of these games can’t be every single year. Figure out a way to preserve this, because for the first time in a while, hockey’s brain trust has found something that works. And because it works, I get to discuss these games in a meaningful way.

As TSN.ca’s resident Yankee, I want to talk about this American team, which has clinched a spot in Thursday’s final after outscoring Finland and Canada at an aggregate score of 9-2 ( 7). How are they winning these games? I’ve got three key reasons as we head into Monday’s slate:

1. The goaltending advantage

Some pieces I write are timed better than others.

Last week, we discussed the brilliance of Winnipeg Jets (and starting American) goaltender Connor........

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