3 questions facing Team USA at the World Cup

The United States has traditionally performed well at the World Cup of Hockey, but the American squad has a few concerns this time around.

Team USA won the first World Cup in 1996 and finished fourth following a semifinal appearance in 2004, but they have their work cut out for them in 2016.

From compensating for an egregious snub to a dilemma in the crease, as well as the pressure of celebrating the anniversary of their title with another, the U.S. brain trust has plenty on its plate.

Here are three questions facing the American contingent at the World Cup:

How will Phil Kessel's absence be mitigated?

There's no sugarcoating it. The fact that Phil Kessel isn't on this team is ridiculous.

The Pittsburgh Penguins' star forward wasn't named to the roster despite ranking second in goal scoring and points among American-born skaters over the last six years. Barring a last-minute injury, it's unlikely the Stanley Cup champion will be called upon.

The U.S. is deep on the right wing with Patrick Kane, Kyle Palmieri, Blake Wheeler, and T.J. Oshie, but Kessel's speed and pure scoring ability won't be easily replicated.

Palmieri - who replaced the injured Ryan Callahan - is coming off a 30-goal season, but Kessel's done that five times, and he's shown he can produce when it counts, with 43 points in 46 career playoff games.

Team USA will need consistent and timely scoring from more than just Kane, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, and Max Pacioretty if it hopes to make a deep run.

Who's the No. 1 goaltender?

The U.S. certainly has options between the pipes in Ben Bishop, Cory Schneider, and Jonathan Quick who will battle it out for playing time.

Bishop will likely get the first crack at the No. 1 role given his recent track record, but he'll need to be 100 percent healthy after the concerning injury he suffered in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Cory Schneider has outplayed both of his American netminding teammates at even strength over the last few seasons. He's done it on teams with weaker rosters and is the most technically sound goalie of the three.

Quick has two Stanley Cups, but his play has dropped off in recent years, and he didn't show enough in the Los Angeles Kings' first-round loss to the San Jose Sharks.

20 years later, can they win it all again?

The USA's World Cup victory in 1996 was a watershed moment for American hockey, which has undergone a major period of growth in the 20 years since Brett Hull, John LeClair, and Mike Richter claimed the championship.

Related: 5 reasons American hockey is on the rise

Canada won gold in Sochi and is favored to defend the title it won at the last World Cup in 2004. Sweden, Russia, and even Team North America could also stand in the way of the United States' quest to bring home the trophy for the first time since that landmark occasion two decades ago.