Photo credit: James Lang | Imagn Images
Matthew Tkachuk and head coach Mike Sullivan know the mountain they have to climb in Sunday's gold medal game.
The Americans are rolling after a 6-2 thumping of Slovakia, but the vibe changed when the conversation shifted to Sidney Crosby.
Tkachuk was asked directly about his plans to agitate the Canadian captain. His response was a rare moment of pure reverence.
"Sidney Crosby. He's got three championships. I don't think you're getting in his head. I mean, he's won everything, at every single level. We want his stature. We want everything that he's accomplished. I guess this team of 25 guys has a chance to accomplish something he has. There is no psychological warfare with him."
Coming from a guy who built a career on being a nuisance, that is a massive admission.
Crosby has been inevitable this season, putting up 59 points through 56 games for the Penguins.
He isn't just a legacy act; he is still a top-tier producer who commands the entire ice.
Sullivan has seen this firsthand for years in Pittsburgh, but now he has to find a way to shut it down.
The history between these two programs is heavy, especially after Canada took the 4 Nations Face-Off in overtime last year.
Canada remains the gold standard in best-on-best play, and Crosby is the primary reason why.
The Ultimate Test for Team USA
The Americans have plenty of firepower, but they lack that singular, decorated resume Crosby brings to the locker room.
Tkachuk is searching for that same international validation after back-to-back Stanley Cups in Florida.
The "Golden Goal" in 2010 still haunts the US program, and Crosby was the man holding the stick that day.
Trying to rattle a player who has seen and won everything is a losing game.
The US needs to focus on their transition game rather than trying to bait a legend into the box.
If they can't match Canada's poise, it will be another silver finish for a very talented group.
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