Hockey Canada made a mistake by not selecting NY Islanders rookie Matthew Schaefer for the Olympics

One moment stands out above the rest where Schaefer could have made a difference. In the second period, the Canadians were on an extended 5-on-3 with a chance to take the lead. Makar began the power play, as he should, but once he skated to the bench, John Cooper deployed Shea Theodore. Theodore received the puck near the top of the circle, and instead of looking for a shot, he elected to move the puck without sending anything towards the goal. This isn't to say that with Schaefer out there, it would have resulted in a different outcome, but the threat of shooting could have opened more lanes for the Canadians with perhaps a better opportunity at taking a lead.

In a perfect world, Josh Morrisey would have been Cooper’s choice to replace Makar on the PP, but an injury earlier in the tournament relegated him to the press box. Outside of Makar, who has 15 goals this season, Theodore led all other dressed Canadian defensemen in the lineup in goals with seven. Schaefer, in his first NHL season, has 16. 

The Canadians dominated the final 40 minutes of regulation but could only beat Connor Hellebuyck once. Perhaps having more offensive options along the blue line would have been enough to push another across the line, and Schaefer could have been that guy they needed. But that’s not how it played out, and Canada will have to let this one stew for a few years until the return of the World Cup of Hockey in 2028.