Previewing Canada, U.S. lines after 2nd day of Olympic practices

Canada and the United States' men's hockey teams practiced for the second time in Italy on Monday, gearing up for the highly anticipated return of NHLers at the Olympics.

Both countries will play their first game of the tournament Thursday. Olympic rules permit teams to dress 13 forwards and seven defensemen.

Although these lineups aren't set in stone for the teams' respective openers, here's how the two gold-medal favorites stacked up in practice.

Canada

Forwards

Seth Jarvis and Sam Bennett, who were both added to the roster as injury replacements, skated as extras.

The top line of Celebrini, McDavid, and Wilson generated the most buzz. Celebrini is the youngest player in the tournament, while Wilson has assumed a more prominent role than many expected.

"Right to the penthouse with two amazing players," Wilson said Sunday, according to Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas.

Defense

Shea Theodore and Travis Sanheim were the extras on Canada's defense. Theodore sustained an injury early in last year's 4 Nations Face-Off and didn't return. Sanheim averaged over 17 minutes across three games at the event.

Jordan Binnington was in the starter's net at practice, but head coach Jon Cooper hasn't announced who will be between the pipes against Czechia. Binnington has the worst stats of the three goalies Canada brought to Italy, but he played a key role in securing the 4 Nations championship.

United States

Forwards

Clayton Keller and Vincent Trocheck skated as extras, with the latter rotating into the fourth-line center role.

Defense

Jackson LaCombe and Noah Hanifin skated as the de facto fourth pairing. McAvoy, who was on the receiving end of a controversial hit to the head during his final game before traveling to Milan, has been a full participant in practice.

Connor Hellebuyck has occupied his own net in practice, while Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman have rotated in the other. Hellebuyck is the front-runner to start against Latvia, but head coach Mike Sullivan hasn't confirmed anything.

"Performance matters," Sullivan said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox.