Jack Hughes takes a high stick to the mouth late in the third, spits out teeth, and still delivers the golden goal in overtime against Canada for Team USA's first men's hockey gold since 1980. That bloody, broken smile as he celebrates with brothers and teammates like Quinn and Clayton Keller captures the grit we've seen in Devils locker rooms for years. Front offices around the league already whisper this image defines the post-Olympic push, with Hughes' passion fueling New Jersey's Cup run.

Clayton Keller carries the Utah Mammoth on his back after that golden Olympic glow, but the real question burns in Salt Lake's front office. GM Bill Armstrong eyes vets like Schmidt and Tanev to shore up the blue line while young guns like Guenther and Cooley push for extensions that could define this rebuild. If Keller's momentum sparks a playoff push in year two, Ryan Smith's expansion bet pays off big - or the desert ghosts haunt them still.

Clayton Keller lights up Team USA's attack while sister Megan anchors the defense, a sibling duo casual fans miss but insiders have tracked since junior days. Their connection adds layers to this Olympic push, blending bloodlines with blue-line battles. As gold hangs in the balance, the Kellers represent that rare family dynasty thriving under international lights.

Megan Keller channels her inner clutch gene in 3-on-3 overtime, weaving through pressure to bury the winner against Canada's stout defense in Milan. The U.S. women, riding a tournament of shutouts and Hilary Knight's late tying tip, finally flip the script on their archrivals after years of heartbreak. This victory cements Keller's legacy as the Farmington kid who delivered the third Olympic gold in program history, with every front office from Boston to Buffalo taking notes on her poise.

The U.S. women's team stuns Canada in overtime to claim gold, with Hilary Knight tying it late and Megan Keller delivering the winner in Milan. Now the men's squad, led by Jack Hughes' two goals and Zach Werenski's three assists in a 6-2 semifinal rout of Slovakia, stares down Canada in Sunday's gold-medal clash. They've gone unbeaten through group play and quarters, but this rivalry matchup carries decades of bad blood from NHL stars who've battled it out season after season.

Ties to Clayton Keller and Red Wings stars like DeBrincat and coach McLellan light up the Olympic glow around her standout performance. Front-office types in Detroit text me nonstop about how these NHL bonds fuel her fire on the international stage. With personal connections running deep through the league, her success spotlights the Wings' extended family as medals hang in the balance.