Quinn Hughes Almost Smiled

I'm not sure I thought I'd ever see the day when an American hockey player who has only worked in Vancouver and St. Paul would be getting covered by E! News, or serve as the lure in catfishing attempts. Quinn Hughes, mainstream celebrity? What a world. Being the subject of memes that allege he's haunted by the ghost of a Victorian child, and acknowledging said meme, helps. Being the best defenseman in the world doesn't hurt. (Cale Makar arguers: I'm not speaking to you until after Sunday.) The legend of Quinn Hughes will only grow after he saved Team USA's bacon with a heroic overtime period and winning goal to squeeze past Sweden in the men's Olympic quarterfinals.

No ghosts, but the specter of going home early was certainly looming, after a late 6-on-5 goal from Mika Zibanejad tied the game and sent things to sudden death. Sweden, as the only medal contender to slip up in group play, had unexpectedly sunk to a seed that provided a more difficult quarterfinal opponent than expected for both sides, and they played like podium contenders—limiting U.S. chances and requiring Connor Hellebuyck to keep up with Jacob Markstrom. The U.S. carried the lion's share of play, but as they struggled to get high-danger chances, it was hard not to think about the goalscorers left at home in favor of face-off specialists and penalty kill merchants.

Three-on-three is a different beast and anyone's game. "That's as nervous as I've been ever in a hockey game," said Dylan Larkin, who redirected a Jack Hughes puck for the U.S.'s first goal. While it may not exactly decide the best team, at least Team USA had a plan for 3-on-3. “Give it to Quinn," said Matt Boldy, who gave it to Quinn for the assist on the winner. "That is usually the game plan when he is out there."