Team USA's NHL studs finally bag Olympic gold, ripping Canada 2-1 in OT with Jack Hughes' snipe off a Werenski feed sealing the deal at Milano Cortina. These guys - Matthews captaining, Hellebuyck stonewalling MacKinnon's shorthanded breakaway whiff - just etched their names next to the Miracle crew after 46 years. Back in NHL rinks this week, expect parade vibes in locker rooms from Jersey to Winnipeg as the league hits pause to let these heroes bask.

Team USA caps their gold medal triumph over Canada by carrying Johnny Gaudreau's No. 13 jersey onto the ice in Milan, a moment that hits hard for anyone who's followed this league. Matthews, Tkachuk, and Werenski lead the tribute after the OT win, with the Gaudreau family watching from the stands as the hockey world remembers a guy who was grinding for this very roster.

Zach Werenski has elevated his game to superhero levels during the Olympics, carrying the Blue Jackets' hopes on his back like few defensemen can. Columbus fans know his cannon from the point, but this international spotlight reveals why he's the cornerstone they build around. With the team lurking near playoffs, his form sets the tone for what comes next in a critical stretch.

Jack Hughes shakes off a vicious high stick from Sam Bennett that cracks his front teeth late in the third period, spotting the damage on the ice amid the chaos of a gold medal showdown. He battles through penalties on both sides, including his own high-sticking call that nearly derails Team USA's dream, before cashing in on a Zach Werenski pass in overtime for the winner.

USA Hockey insiders already whisper about locking in core pieces for the 2028 World Cup, with names like Auston Matthews and Quinn Hughes drawing heavy buzz from front-office types who've seen them dominate NHL ice. Bill Guerin and his crew debate tweaks on defense, eyeing stars-in-waiting like Jackson LaCombe to pair with studs such as Zach Werenski and Brock Faber.

Jack Hughes and Connor Hellebuyck carry Team USA past rival Canada in a gold medal grudge match that echoes the Miracle on Ice. Hellebuyck stones McDavid on a breakaway and robs MacKinnon with the paddle down low, while Hughes buries the winner after Werenski strips the puck from Nathan MacKinnon. Canada gripes they dominated, but those third-period whiffs loom large in a rivalry that always delivers heartbreak for someone.