It took just 12 seconds of power-play time for Canada’s top unit to strike, with MacKinnon converting a slick cross-crease backhand pass from his good friend, Crosby, shortly after William Nylander was sent off for high-sticking.
Canada devoted a significant chunk of time to special teams work during its practices Monday and Tuesday, knowing that it could be a difference-maker in the tournament.
Fittingly, it was Crosby who led those discussions, urging teammates not to overpass or overthink things. With Makar at the point, MacKinnon and McDavid on the flanks, Sam Reinhart in the bumper and Crosby at the net front, there’s no shortage of weapons to punish opponents with the man advantage.
“We just did something with Sid and he made a good point: ‘You’re trying to communicate as much as possible just to really get a feel for what guys like to do and then when it’s game time we’re just playing, so the talking’s over,”’ MacKinnon said Tuesday. “We’re trying to just build as much chemistry as possible. I think when you do speak a lot to each other and try to really break things down there’s less guessing out there.
“You have a plan.”
While MacKinnon and Crosby spend plenty of time training together during the summer in Halifax, this is the first time they’ve played on the same team since winning gold for Canada at the 2015 IIHF World Championships.
The tournament-opening goal should ease the nerves of MacKinnon, the reigning Hart Trophy winner who acknowledged feeling the pressure to deliver on home ice.
“It’s an important event,” he said. “Obviously, we all take representing Canada very seriously. We know we have a ton of support. That pressure, I think it’s a good thing, it means you’re doing something important.”
