What to watch for in women’s world hockey championship gold-medal game

MALMO, Sweden – A quick look at Saturday’s final at the women’s world hockey championship between Canada and the United States:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Canada

Marie-Philip Poulin — Her country’s golden goalscorer in last year’s Winter Olympics, Canada may need her clutch goalscoring abilities again.

Natalie Spooner/Jennifer Wakefield/Brianne Jenner — Twitter has dubbed them the “Spennerfield” line. The trio’s combined size and strength make them difficult to contain.

United States

Hilary Knight — Right-winger leads the tournament in scoring with six goals in four games. She and linemates Brianna Decker and Kendall Coyne are a threat to score every time they step on the ice.

Jessie Vetter — Expect the U.S. to go with a proven performer in net. Their four world titles in the last five years were won with Vetter in goal in the final.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Canada — Stay out of the penalty box. U.S. power play is running at a 41 per cent success rate. Control the puck better on the offensive zone blue-line to avoid turnovers.

United States — Use speed to force Canada into penalty trouble and let power play work its magic. Forecheck aggressively as Canada has some inexperienced defenders.