Connor McDavid dominates the Olympic tournament with a record 13 points, earning MVP honors and a spot leading the all-star team alongside Cale Makar and Macklin Celebrini. Canada's captain for the final games collects another bittersweet trophy after that overtime gut-punch to the U.S., echoing his Conn Smythe from the Panthers' Cup run.

Cale Makar catches heat for a key defensive gaffe as Canada stumbles against USA in Olympic heartbreak. The Avalanche stud owns the ice most nights, but this lapse spotlights the fine line in medal chases. Colorado fans brace for how it ripples into playoff prep.

Jack Hughes delivers the dagger in overtime against a stacked Canadian squad missing Sidney Crosby, channeling that 1980 Miracle vibe on the 46th anniversary. Connor Hellebuyck stands tall with 41 saves, stonewalling Canada's barrage while Matt Boldy and Cale Makar trade early strikes in a game that had NHL stars pouring everything into the cauldron.

Cale Makar, the Avalanche Norris machine and Canada's alternate captain, finally unleashes his signature wrister late in the second period to knot up the gold-medal thriller against the U.S. With Bo Horvat winning the draw and Devon Toews - his Avs blue-line buddy - feeding the puck, Makar picks the short side on Connor Hellebuyck to send a nation into delirium. That goal keeps Canada's Olympic dreams alive in a game where they've tilted the ice but struggled to crack the Americans' wall.

Colorado's core - Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Devon Toews - suit up for Canada in the gold medal showdown against a loaded U.S. squad featuring their own teammate Brock Nelson. Makar coughs up a neutral zone turnover that sparks the decisive American rush, while MacKinnon rims an open net in the third that haunts every replay. Nelson carries the family legacy to the top podium, but these Avs stars taste silver heartbreak on a night echoing Lake Placid's miracle 46 years to the day.

Connor McDavid captains Canada to a fierce gold-medal battle against a gritty Team USA, where the Oilers superstar dazzles yet again after a tournament MVP nod no one saw coming. Canada storms back from an early deficit behind Cale Makar's clutch response, dominating shots in a second half that leaves jaws on the floor, but those wide-open nets tease what might have been.