USA vs Canada live score updates: 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game latest

It feels like Canada has taken some vigor out of this crowd, making me wonder what a second goal to go up 2-0 would do.

The Americans are a boastful bunch. But I’ve wondered how much of it has been false bravado.

I’ve maintained that captains matter more in these games than ones in the NHL regular season. I’ve covered enough Game 7s to feel confident that leadership — good and bad — shines in these one-off situations.

This is not a comment on Team USA’s personnel. But Canada’s Sidney Crosby is one of the great captains to ever lace a pair of skates. His ability to slow down big, fast moments surely is an advantage in the early going for Canada, and as long as this stays close.