Every now and then, we get a break from debating the relative merits of Justin Abdelkader and Dustin Byfuglien and just get to watch something exhilarating.
It didn’t take Team North America very long to provide another pinch-yourself moment, as Connor McDavid roasted Pavel Datsyuk (!) to set up Auston Matthews for a blistering 1-0 goal against Russia.
You can see it in the video above; allow us to recommend watching it over and over again.
Once Toronto Maple Leafs fans got past the initial rush of seeing that goal, they would likely also enjoy noting that this was Matthews’ first goal at the Air Canada Centre.
There’s really a lot to take in, including Matthews and McDavid combining for that tally with Datsyuk and Alex Ovechkin on the ice for Russia.
(Some are even making hasty Wayne Gretzky to Mario Lemieux comparisons.)
Perhaps North America will slow down as the World Cup goes on, but either way, this blistering collecting of talent is already providing a beautiful vision of a hopeful hockey future.