Grades, top players from the USA’s thrilling win over Canada

A 4 Nations Face-Off game that began with three fights in nine seconds produced some of the best hockey on display in recent memory. The result: a 3-1 win for the United States over Canada, much to the dismay of a majority of the fans at Bell Centre in Montreal.

The victory gives Team USA six points and clinches a spot in the championship game this Thursday. Each of the other teams has two points, so Monday’s matchups will determine whom the Americans will face for the title:

Here are grades for the U.S. and Canada, our biggest takeaways, key players to watch in the next game and lingering questions.

Grading the teams

United States: A

Team USA’s opening win over Finland on Thursday was the kind of emphatic, confidence-building victory the Americans needed before facing their archrivals. But it also was important for proof of concept about this roster. It established two scoring lines, anchored by Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel. It showed that star players on their NHL teams could adapt to becoming role players on the national team — players such as Dylan Larkin, who scored a critical goal against Canada. It was a win that showed the Americans as poised and in control of their emotions.

Everything they exhibited in that matchup with Finland informed this effort against Canada on Saturday, underscored by a strong performance from Connor Hellebuyck in goal. It was a victory in the most hostile of environments for the Americans, a total team effort in a cyclone of emotions.

The Canadians will note the absence of Cale Makar due to illness and that the game’s importance was diminished following Sweden’s overtime loss to Finland. The Americans — who of course are…