Team Canada, at some point during the gold medal game against Team USA, may go to the nuclear option.
To be clear, that’s a line change. They take some of their first line, and they soup it up some more.
The regular first forward line for Canada is Connor McDavid at center, with Macklin Celebrini and Tom Wilson on the wings.
But when Jon Cooper wants, he breaks out the “Mac Attack” with McDavid centering Celebrini and Nathan MacKinnon.
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Why Canada uses McDavid, MacKinnon, Celebrini line
These might legitimately be the three best hockey players on the planet.
It’s logical for MacKinnon to be on a different line than McDavid initially. They’re both centers, and they provide firepower in two different lines instead of just one.
Cooper breaks out this superpowered line when things get tough.
That happened plenty in the Olympic quarterfinal and semifinal, both of which had Canada needing to come from behind to win.
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It has downside, because then all three of these guys have to come off the ice tired at once.
But when they’re out there, there’s no one better.
To win a gold medal, these three will surely get some shifts together.


