DETROIT – The stakes were high last year when the United States and Canada met for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship in Boston.

They’ll be much higher Sunday when these countries square off in the gold medal game at the Milan Cortina Olympics (8 a.m. ET, NBC, Peacock).

“You talk about the game, and that’s probably how it’ll go down, is ‘The Game.’ It’ll be known as that,” Detroit Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “Four Nations is one thing, but this is complete world involvement. It’s exciting. We’ll all be watching and wishing Larks the best and rooting for different teams, but that’s how it happens.”

Dylan Larkin, as he did at the 4 Nations, has played a key role for the U.S., scoring goals in each of the past two games.

“Every game I watched, he’s been flying,” Patrick Kane said. “He’s been one of the more impressive players in my eyes. It’s good that he’s getting the recognition, nationwide, worldwide that he deserves. And we obviously know all that in here, and he’s a great teammate, and he cares so much. So, I know he’ll come out and have his best game in a while.”

McLellan said of Larkin: “Doing exactly what he needs to do. He’s using his legs. He’s very responsible when he’s on the ice. And when he gets an opportunity to strike offensively, he’s taking advantage of it.”

Canada defeated the U.S. 3-2 on Connor McDavid’s overtime goal at the 4 Nations. In 2010, Sidney Crosby scored in OT to lift Canada past Team USA 3-2 in the gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics.

The Americans are seeking their first gold medal since the 1980 Miracle on Ice in Lake Placid, N.Y., and they’re much better-equipped than they’ve ever been.

“I just think the skill level, the (number) of difference-makers the U.S. has now is a lot greater,” Kane, who played for the U.S. in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, said. “Those teams, we didn’t have a Quinn Hughes or Zach Werenski, guys that can be difference-makers on the back end. You look at the talent across the league with Americans; there’s so many great players.”

Americans outnumber Canadians 8-6 on the Red Wings.

“This is what everyone’s kind of been looking forward to seeing,” Canadian Cam Talbot said. “I feel like it’s just been building to this gold medal game. Hopefully, we can pull it off.”

Canada has needed late heroics to battle back from deficits in its past two games against Czechia and Finland.

“The U.S., they’ve got a really good D corps, good goaltending, a lot of good special teams,” Talbot said. “Both teams have great depth, so I think whoever gets off to a good start first, they’d be able to lock it down, more or less. But obviously, no lead safe in this Olympics. You’ve seen that time and time again throughout this elimination round. It’s been a heck of a tournament to watch and just looking forward to waking up early and watching.”

After five days of practice, the Red Wings have Sunday off and McLellan said he’s going to “sit back and appreciate the talent, the skill, the intensity, the execution level.”

“I’m rooting for a real good game,” McLellan said. “I’m Canadian and have represented that country in the past, so I’m pulling for them. But I live in the U.S., and I respect the program that they put together as well.”

Kane sees a bright future for the sport in the U.S.

“What those guys are doing is going to inspire a lot of kids to want to play hockey and be part of something special like those guys are doing,” Kane said. “It’s a great opportunity for them, and hopefully they can get the job done.”