You've heard of Bucci's Overtime Challenge? Well, this is Bucci's Hat Trick Challenge. What's the challenge part? Regularly coming up with three hits about the World Cup of Hockey. Monday's games are Team Czech Republic vs. Team Europe (3 p.m., ESPN2) and Team North America vs. Team Russia (8 p.m., ESPN2).
1. Youth was served: Well, the kids are fine. No surprise. These North American beauts are elite, first-line NHL players. Aaron Ekblad and Morgan Rielly are an excellent shutdown pair, certainly better than most other teams outside of Canada and Sweden. Johnny Gaudreau is a big-time, big-moment player who reminds one of Patrick Kane. Last year, in his 22-year-old season, Gaudreau was 30-48-78. Kane's 22-year-old season? 27-46-73. I don't know what the Calgary Flames' trepidation is with a long-term Gaudreau deal (besides cap management, which is always understandable), but it's time for the two sides to stop fooling around and get this done. He is not only one of the most productive players in the NHL but also a human Christmas tree lit from bucket to pedals.
2. MacKinnon storms in: Nathan MacKinnon was a certified wagon for Team North America versus Finland. He played a classic, old-school, Cam Neely, Rick Tocchet-winger game. He was skating, banging and going to the net. You wonder if this is who/what he could be in the NHL playing with Matt Duchene in the middle. Centers are obviously the arteries of an NHL team, but McKinnon looked like he was in his natural habitat.
3. Game of Hoodies: North American gear is flying off the shelves. The light hoodies are my favorite. The uniforms and gear are an interesting "Game of Thrones" meets Bell Biv Devoe 1990, neon-orange amalgamation. With his pads and ranginess, Matt Murray could be one of the dragons. Gaudreau as Tyrion Lannister. Connor McDavid as Jon Snow. Aaron Ekblad as Khal Drogo. Auston Matthews as Tormund Giantsbane. Brandon Saad as Jaime Lannister. Jon Cooper as Jorah Mormont. I could go on, but I'll stop.