Celebrini-McDavid-MacKinnon: Jon Cooper has assembled the best line in the world

Félix Forget
Celebrini-McDavid-MacKinnon: Jon Cooper has assembled the best line in the world
Credit: Screenshot/Twitter

This afternoon, Canada defeated Switzerland 5-1. In doing so, Jon Cooper's team secured first place in its group… and a spot in the quarterfinals.

In reality, it was the expected result… but we know that an expected result isn't always the one that happens, as Team Canada Junior can attest.

However, beyond the result, it was Cooper's adjustment that stole the show today. At the very end of the first period, the coach decided to put Macklin Celebrini, Connor McDavid, and Nathan MacKinnon together on the same line.We're talking about three of the four top scorers in the NHL this season.

The result? The three guys started tearing it up. It looked ridiculously easy for them… and it didn't take long for them to combine forces for the first time.

Unlike the other two, McDavid didn't score on that play, but he wasn't exactly a passenger either.

And in the third period, the three guys once again found a way to give Switzerland a headache: their speed and talent left poor Akira Schmid and the Swiss defense with no chance.

This time, the three guys earned a point.

Obviously, Switzerland isn't the biggest powerhouse Canada will face during the tournament. We'll have to see how this line fares against the United States, for example, but right now, it makes sense to say that Canada has just found its weapon of mass destruction.

Facing these three guys at the same time is enough to give any defense a headache, especially if a guy like Cale Makar is on the ice as well.

It's obviously unfortunate for Nick Suzuki, who had the chance to play with MacKinnon since the start of the tournament and was relegated to a more defensive role today. But as things stand, it seems logical to keep the first line as it was for much of the game against Switzerland.

I can't wait to see what these three guys will be able to do against France, hehe.


Overtime

– Josh Morrissey won't play on Sunday, but his tournament isn't over.Brad Marchand will play on Sunday.

– Kevin Fiala was taken to hospital following his injury at the end of the game. We wish him all the best.

Tom Wilson apologized to Fiala.

– Medal table update.

– There will be plenty of action at the Olympics tomorrow.

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